SOC 35-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Pennsylvania is $29,310 a year, trailing the national median of $33,980 by 13.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Pennsylvania is $29,310 a year, trailing the national median of $33,980 by 13.7%. Half of workers earn between $23,350 and $35,430. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $17,890 and the ninetieth at $38,580.
The area has 20,800 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.98 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Pennsylvania ranks 28th by median wage. Philadelphia leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $32,220. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 764th of 778 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,890 | −47.4% |
| 25th | $23,350 | −31.3% |
| Median (50th) | $29,310 | −13.7% |
| 75th | $35,430 | +4.3% |
| 90th | $38,580 | +13.5% |
| Mean | $29,810 | −12.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $32,220 | 10,990 | |
| 2 | Allentown | $30,640 | 1,310 | |
| 3 | York | $30,010 | 560 | |
| 4 | Lancaster | $29,520 | 960 | |
| 5 | Harrisburg | $29,340 | 970 | |
| 6 | Lebanon | $28,880 | 190 | |
| 7 | State College | $28,720 | 280 | |
| 8 | Pittsburgh | $28,540 | 4,060 | |
| 9 | Reading | $28,190 | 450 | |
| 10 | Chambersburg | $27,990 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $29,310 goes as far as $30,031 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,310as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,031US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,310 a year, 13.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $17,890 to $38,580 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 20,800 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 28th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $32,220.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage is $29,310, or $14.09 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 Pennsylvania is 13.7% lower. 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 Pennsylvania earns more than $38,580 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $17,890 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 Philadelphia, at $32,220 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 20,800 jobs in this occupation in Pennsylvania. 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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