SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Maryland
Maryland · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Maryland is $36,750 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 Maryland is $36,750 per year, close to the national median of $35,230 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $31,200 at the tenth percentile to more than $62,210 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $32,820 to $47,720.
The area has 38,120 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 13.8 of every thousand jobs. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Maryland ranks 18th by median wage. Baltimore leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,170. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 682nd of 728 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | −11.4% |
| 25th | $32,820 | −6.8% |
| Median (50th) | $36,750 | +4.3% |
| 75th | $47,720 | +35.5% |
| 90th | $62,210 | +76.6% |
| Mean | $43,950 | +24.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Maryland
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore | $36,170 | 19,590 | |
| 2 | Lexington Park | $35,550 | 1,020 | |
| 3 | Salisbury | $35,080 | 690 | |
| 4 | Hagerstown | $34,470 | 1,320 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Maryland run 5.0% above the national average, so the median of $36,750 buys what $35,000 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 0.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,750as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,000US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,750 a year, 4.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,200 to $62,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 38,120 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 18th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Baltimore, at $36,170.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Maryland?
The median annual wage is $36,750, or $17.67 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 Maryland is 4.3% 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 Maryland earns more than $62,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,200 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 Baltimore, at $36,170 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 38,120 jobs in this occupation in Maryland. 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.
Explore related data