SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Southside Virginia
Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 9 metro areas compared
At $37,140, median pay for Waiters and Waitresses in Southside Virginia, VA tracks the national median of $35,230 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $37,140, median pay for Waiters and Waitresses in Southside Virginia, VA tracks the national median of $35,230 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $29,640 and $47,680. The lowest tenth earn under $26,950, while the highest tenth earn more than $61,500.
Employment stands at 1,290, or 12.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Harrisonburg leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $44,760. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 259th of 323 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,950 | −23.5% |
| 25th | $29,640 | −15.9% |
| Median (50th) | $37,140 | +5.4% |
| 75th | $47,680 | +35.3% |
| 90th | $61,500 | +74.6% |
| Mean | $42,340 | +20.2% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisonburg | $44,760 | 1,150 | |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $44,030 | 2,140 | |
| 3 | Virginia Beach | $39,020 | 13,100 | |
| 4 | Richmond | $38,470 | 9,120 | |
| 5 | Staunton | $37,910 | 690 | |
| 6 | Winchester | $37,680 | 990 | |
| 7 | Blacksburg | $37,670 | 1,080 | |
| 8 | Roanoke | $37,380 | 2,220 | |
| 9 | Lynchburg | $36,780 | 1,410 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southside Virginia sit close to the national average, so $37,140 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$37,140as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,736US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,140 a year, 5.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,950 to $61,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,290 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Harrisonburg, at $44,760.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Southside Virginia, VA?
The median annual wage is $37,140, or $17.86 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 Southside Virginia, VA is 5.4% 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 Southside Virginia, VA earns more than $61,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,950 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 Harrisonburg, at $44,760 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,290 jobs in this occupation in Southside Virginia, 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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