SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg, VA · 8 metro areas compared
In Harrisonburg, VA the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses reaches $44,760 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Harrisonburg, VA the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses reaches $44,760 a year. That is 27.1% more than the national median of $35,230. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $30,760 and $55,540. The lowest tenth earn under $27,420, while the highest tenth earn more than $75,660.
Employment stands at 1,150, or 17.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Charlottesville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $44,030. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 177th of 257 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,420 | −22.2% |
| 25th | $30,760 | −12.7% |
| Median (50th) | $44,760 | +27.1% |
| 75th | $55,540 | +57.6% |
| 90th | $75,660 | +114.8% |
| Mean | $46,130 | +30.9% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlottesville | $44,030 | 2,140 | |
| 2 | Virginia Beach | $39,020 | 13,100 | |
| 3 | Richmond | $38,470 | 9,120 | |
| 4 | Staunton | $37,910 | 690 | |
| 5 | Winchester | $37,680 | 990 | |
| 6 | Blacksburg | $37,670 | 1,080 | |
| 7 | Roanoke | $37,380 | 2,220 | |
| 8 | Lynchburg | $36,780 | 1,410 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Harrisonburg sit close to the national average, so $44,760 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$44,760as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$44,273US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,760 a year, 27.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,420 to $75,660 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlottesville, at $44,030.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Harrisonburg, VA?
The median annual wage is $44,760, or $21.52 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 Harrisonburg, VA is 27.1% 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 Harrisonburg, VA earns more than $75,660 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,420 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 Charlottesville, at $44,030 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,150 jobs in this occupation in Harrisonburg, VA. 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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