SOC 35-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — Reading
Reading, PA · 10 metro areas compared
In Reading, PA the median wage is $28,190.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Reading, PA the median wage is $28,190. That is 17.0% lower than the national median of $33,980. Pay ranges from under $17,790 at the tenth percentile to more than $36,810 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $22,450 to $33,050.
The area has 450 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.74 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $32,220. Of the 398 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 390th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,790 | −47.6% |
| 25th | $22,450 | −33.9% |
| Median (50th) | $28,190 | −17.0% |
| 75th | $33,050 | −2.7% |
| 90th | $36,810 | +8.3% |
| Mean | $28,750 | −15.4% |
Other 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 | Chambersburg | $27,990 | 120 | |
| 10 | Scranton | $27,720 | 690 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Reading run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $28,190 goes as far as $28,883 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,883US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,190 a year, 17.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $17,790 to $36,810 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 450 jobs in 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 Reading, PA?
The median annual wage is $28,190, or $13.55 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 Reading, PA is 17.0% 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 Reading, PA earns more than $36,810 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $17,790 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 450 jobs in this occupation in Reading, PA. 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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