SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Harrisburg
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $34,260 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $34,260 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $35,230. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $24,070 and $46,770. The lowest tenth earn under $18,040, while the highest tenth earn more than $62,800.
The area has 3,920 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 11.7 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $36,570. Of the 493 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 455th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18,040 | −48.8% |
| 25th | $24,070 | −31.7% |
| Median (50th) | $34,260 | −2.8% |
| 75th | $46,770 | +32.8% |
| 90th | $62,800 | +78.3% |
| Mean | $37,830 | +7.4% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $36,570 | 41,900 | |
| 2 | Pittsburgh | $35,470 | 16,120 | |
| 3 | State College | $35,280 | 1,350 | |
| 4 | Allentown | $34,630 | 5,310 | |
| 5 | York | $33,750 | 2,340 | |
| 6 | Lancaster | $32,190 | 3,520 | |
| 7 | Gettysburg | $31,390 | 660 | |
| 8 | Reading | $30,760 | 2,060 | |
| 9 | Lebanon | $30,300 | 690 | |
| 10 | Chambersburg | $30,030 | 750 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Harrisburg run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $34,260 goes as far as $35,102 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,102US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,260 a year, 2.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $18,040 to $62,800 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,920 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $36,570.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Harrisburg, PA?
The median annual wage is $34,260, or $16.47 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 Harrisburg, PA is 2.8% 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 Harrisburg, PA earns more than $62,800 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $18,040 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 $36,570 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,920 jobs in this occupation in Harrisburg, 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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