SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · United States
Waiters and Waitresses
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses across the United States is $35,230 per year, measured over 2,270,910 jobs. The highest state median is in Hawaii, at $62,390.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Waiters and Waitresses
Pay for this occupation varies by 313.7% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Hawaii pays $62,390 and Louisiana pays $15,080.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $62,390 | 14,090 | |
| 2 | Vermont | $59,140 | 4,040 | |
| 3 | Washington | $56,130 | 45,400 | |
| 4 | Oregon | $48,410 | 23,040 | |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $47,850 | 11,530 | |
| 6 | New York | $47,020 | 142,940 | |
| 7 | New Jersey | $44,960 | 55,800 | |
| 8 | Colorado | $44,860 | 40,680 | |
| 9 | Virginia | $44,760 | 59,370 | |
| 10 | Arizona | $43,950 | 55,950 |
States with the most Waiters and Waitresses jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 229,970 | $36,080 | |
| 2 | Florida | 207,180 | $36,150 | |
| 3 | Texas | 199,610 | $23,240 | |
| 4 | New York | 142,940 | $47,020 | |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 82,300 | $34,690 | |
| 6 | Ohio | 77,250 | $36,700 | |
| 7 | Georgia | 76,470 | $18,700 | |
| 8 | Illinois | 72,900 | $31,200 | |
| 9 | North Carolina | 71,940 | $32,150 | |
| 10 | Michigan | 65,090 | $37,760 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului | $82,550 | 2,700 |
| 2 | Burlington | $61,620 | 1,510 |
| 3 | Urban Honolulu | $60,250 | 8,550 |
| 4 | Seattle | $57,280 | 26,530 |
| 5 | Walla Walla | $56,730 | 340 |
| 6 | Bellingham | $56,700 | 1,450 |
| 7 | Bremerton | $55,270 | 1,370 |
| 8 | Longview | $54,870 | 410 |
| 9 | Portland | $54,780 | 13,910 |
| 10 | Mount Vernon | $53,060 | 830 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 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.