SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Lancaster
Lancaster, PA · 10 metro areas compared
In Lancaster, PA the median wage is $32,190.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Lancaster, PA the median wage is $32,190. That is 8.6% lower than the national median of $35,230. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $26,090 and $46,260. The lowest tenth earn under $17,820, while the highest tenth earn more than $62,100.
Employment stands at 3,520, or 13.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Philadelphia leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,570. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 412th of 433 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,820 | −49.4% |
| 25th | $26,090 | −25.9% |
| Median (50th) | $32,190 | −8.6% |
| 75th | $46,260 | +31.3% |
| 90th | $62,100 | +76.3% |
| Mean | $37,080 | +5.3% |
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 | Harrisburg | $34,260 | 3,920 | |
| 6 | York | $33,750 | 2,340 | |
| 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 Lancaster run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $32,190 goes as far as $32,982 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$32,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,982US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $32,190 a year, 8.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $17,820 to $62,100 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,520 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 Lancaster, PA?
The median annual wage is $32,190, or $15.48 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 Lancaster, PA is 8.6% 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 Lancaster, PA earns more than $62,100 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $17,820 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 3,520 jobs in this occupation in Lancaster, 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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