SOC 35-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — District of Columbia
District of Columbia · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in District of Columbia comes to $39,080 a year, ahead of the national median of $33,980 by 15.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in District of Columbia comes to $39,080 a year, ahead of the national median of $33,980 by 15.0%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $36,670 and $48,200. The lowest tenth earn under $36,400, while the highest tenth earn more than $58,830.
Employment stands at 4,130, or 5.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, District of Columbia ranks 3rd by median wage. Washington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $37,260. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 446th of 465 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,400 | +7.1% |
| 25th | $36,670 | +7.9% |
| Median (50th) | $39,080 | +15.0% |
| 75th | $48,200 | +41.8% |
| 90th | $58,830 | +73.1% |
| Mean | $45,850 | +34.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in District of Columbia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $37,260 | 13,800 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in District of Columbia run 9.9% above the national average, so the median of $39,080 buys what $35,560 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
109.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,560US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,080 a year, 15.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,400 to $58,830 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,130 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 3rd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Washington, at $37,260.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage is $39,080, or $18.79 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $33,980, so pay in District of Columbia is 15.0% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in District of Columbia earns more than $58,830 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,400 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Washington, at $37,260 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,130 jobs in this occupation in District of Columbia. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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