SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Connecticut
Connecticut · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Connecticut is $37,770 per year, close to the national median of $35,230 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Connecticut is $37,770 per year, close to the national median of $35,230 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $35,230 and $48,250. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,010 and the ninetieth at $72,060.
Employment stands at 22,370, or 13.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Connecticut ranks number 14th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Bridgeport records the highest median at $38,820. Of the 674 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 620th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,010 | −3.5% |
| 25th | $35,230 | +0.0% |
| Median (50th) | $37,770 | +7.2% |
| 75th | $48,250 | +37.0% |
| 90th | $72,060 | +104.5% |
| Mean | $46,220 | +31.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Connecticut
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeport | $38,820 | 6,270 | |
| 2 | New Haven | $37,900 | 3,290 | |
| 3 | Norwich | $37,880 | 2,620 | |
| 4 | Hartford | $37,200 | 7,200 | |
| 5 | Waterbury | $36,890 | 1,940 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Connecticut run 3.6% above the national average, so the median of $37,770 buys what $36,458 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 3.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,770as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,458US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,770 a year, 7.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,010 to $72,060 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 22,370 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 14th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bridgeport, at $38,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Connecticut?
The median annual wage is $37,770, or $18.16 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 $35,230, so pay in Connecticut is 7.2% 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 Connecticut earns more than $72,060 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,010 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 Bridgeport, at $38,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 22,370 jobs in this occupation in Connecticut. 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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