SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Raleigh
Raleigh-Cary, NC · 10 metro areas compared
At $34,860, median pay for Waiters and Waitresses in Raleigh, NC tracks the national median of $35,230 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $34,860, median pay for Waiters and Waitresses in Raleigh, NC tracks the national median of $35,230 closely. Pay ranges from under $17,850 at the tenth percentile to more than $64,240 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $22,090 to $48,990.
Employment stands at 10,290, or 13.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Charlotte records the highest median at $36,430. Of the 571 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 531st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,850 | −49.3% |
| 25th | $22,090 | −37.3% |
| Median (50th) | $34,860 | −1.1% |
| 75th | $48,990 | +39.1% |
| 90th | $64,240 | +82.3% |
| Mean | $39,430 | +11.9% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte | $36,430 | 19,990 | |
| 2 | Durham | $35,230 | 3,560 | |
| 3 | Asheville | $34,450 | 3,250 | |
| 4 | Pinehurst | $34,080 | 1,040 | |
| 5 | Wilmington | $30,610 | 4,920 | |
| 6 | Greensboro | $30,060 | 5,210 | |
| 7 | Winston-Salem | $29,550 | 3,940 | |
| 8 | Fayetteville | $29,520 | 1,980 | |
| 9 | Burlington | $29,330 | 1,100 | |
| 10 | Hickory | $29,310 | 2,000 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Raleigh run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $34,860 goes as far as $36,967 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,860as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,967US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,860 a year, 1.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $17,850 to $64,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 10,290 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlotte, at $36,430.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Raleigh, NC?
The median annual wage is $34,860, or $16.76 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 Raleigh, NC is 1.1% 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 Raleigh, NC earns more than $64,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $17,850 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 Charlotte, at $36,430 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 10,290 jobs in this occupation in Raleigh, NC. 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