Waiters and Waitresse Salary in 2026
How Much Do Waiters and Waitresses Make?
Waiters and Waitresses earn a median annual salary of $33,760 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $18,500 at the 10th percentile to $62,510 at the 90th percentile — a range of $44,010. The highest-paying state is Vermont at $60,910.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18,500 |
| 25th percentile | $25,690 |
| Median (50th) | $33,760 |
| 75th percentile | $45,350 |
| 90th percentile | $62,510 |
Waiters and Waitresse Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Vermonttop | $60,910 |
| Hawaii | $48,570 |
| Washington | $47,490 |
| New York | $46,460 |
| District of Columbia | $45,770 |
| Maine | $44,550 |
| Rhode Island | $42,600 |
| New Hampshire | $39,270 |
| New Jersey | $38,720 |
| Virginia | $36,990 |
| Arizona | $36,730 |
| Connecticut | $36,440 |
| Massachusetts | $36,390 |
| Ohio | $36,030 |
| Michigan | $35,940 |
| California | $35,290 |
| Maryland | $35,140 |
| Colorado | $34,990 |
| Nebraska | $34,000 |
| Oregon | $33,930 |
| Delaware | $33,750 |
| Kansas | $31,560 |
| Idaho | $30,540 |
| New Mexico | $30,440 |
| West Virginia | $30,320 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,300 |
| Utah | $29,860 |
| Florida | $29,580 |
| North Dakota | $29,420 |
| Illinois | $29,120 |
| South Dakota | $29,080 |
| Wisconsin | $29,050 |
| North Carolina | $28,460 |
| Tennessee | $28,410 |
| Texas | $27,930 |
| Indiana | $27,420 |
| Alaska | $27,370 |
| Missouri | $26,950 |
| Arkansas | $26,350 |
| Iowa | $26,140 |
| Wyoming | $25,340 |
| Nevada | $24,960 |
| Minnesota | $24,470 |
| Montana | $22,630 |
| Kentucky | $22,260 |
| Alabama | $21,920 |
| Mississippi | $20,340 |
| Georgia | $20,040 |
| Oklahoma | $19,890 |
| South Carolina | $18,530 |
| Louisiana | $16,880 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Waiters and Waitresses
Waiters and Waitresse Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$18,500 – $25,690 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$33,760 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$45,350 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $62,510+ |
How to Earn More as a Waiters and Waitresse
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Waiters and Waitresses in Kahului-Wailuku, HI earn $71,920 — $38,160 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($45,350) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Waiters and Waitresse Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitressethis career | $33,760 |
| Food Service Manager | $65,310 |
| Chefs and Head Cook | $60,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor | $42,010 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,160 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Waiters and Waitresse requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 35-3031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.