Waiters and Waitresses Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for waiters and waitresses in the United States was $35,230 ($16.94 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18,100 | $8.70 |
| 25th | $27,750 | $13.34 |
| Median | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| 75th | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| 90th | $64,720 | $31.12 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 35-3031
- Total U.S. employment: 2,270,910
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
How to interpret these figures
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $18,100, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $64,720 — a 3.6x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Waiters and Waitresses Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $26,840 | $12.91 | -23.8% | 28,760 |
| Alaska | $26,310 | $12.65 | -25.3% | 3,830 |
| Arizona | $43,950 | $21.13 | +24.8% | 55,950 |
| Arkansas | $24,680 | $11.86 | -29.9% | 17,880 |
| California | $36,080 | $17.35 | +2.4% | 229,970 |
| Colorado | $44,860 | $21.57 | +27.3% | 40,680 |
| Connecticut | $37,770 | $18.16 | +7.2% | 22,370 |
| Delaware | $36,880 | $17.73 | +4.7% | 7,580 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 | $23.01 | +35.8% | 11,530 |
| Florida | $36,150 | $17.38 | +2.6% | 207,180 |
| Georgia | $18,700 | $8.99 | -46.9% | 76,470 |
| Hawaii | $62,390 | $29.99 | +77.1% | 14,090 |
| Idaho | $30,050 | $14.45 | -14.7% | 10,950 |
| Illinois | $31,200 | $15.00 | -11.4% | 72,900 |
| Indiana | $28,480 | $13.69 | -19.2% | 43,620 |
| Iowa | $21,000 | $10.10 | -40.4% | 22,410 |
| Kansas | $36,120 | $17.36 | +2.5% | 19,480 |
| Kentucky | $29,660 | $14.26 | -15.8% | 27,150 |
| Louisiana | $15,080 | $7.25 | -57.2% | 33,870 |
| Maine | $43,370 | $20.85 | +23.1% | 9,090 |
| Maryland | $36,750 | $17.67 | +4.3% | 38,120 |
| Massachusetts | $38,460 | $18.49 | +9.2% | 54,670 |
| Michigan | $37,760 | $18.16 | +7.2% | 65,090 |
| Minnesota | $25,470 | $12.25 | -27.7% | 37,630 |
| Mississippi | $21,370 | $10.27 | -39.3% | 15,190 |
| Missouri | $29,400 | $14.13 | -16.5% | 41,640 |
| Montana | $23,370 | $11.23 | -33.7% | 7,200 |
| Nebraska | $33,770 | $16.24 | -4.1% | 13,310 |
| Nevada | $26,410 | $12.70 | -25.0% | 42,520 |
| New Hampshire | $38,430 | $18.48 | +9.1% | 10,030 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 | $21.62 | +27.6% | 55,800 |
| New Mexico | $36,920 | $17.75 | +4.8% | 12,740 |
| New York | $47,020 | $22.61 | +33.5% | 142,940 |
| North Carolina | $32,150 | $15.46 | -8.7% | 71,940 |
| North Dakota | $30,890 | $14.85 | -12.3% | 5,250 |
| Ohio | $36,700 | $17.65 | +4.2% | 77,250 |
| Oklahoma | $17,910 | $8.61 | -49.2% | 27,000 |
| Oregon | $48,410 | $23.27 | +37.4% | 23,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,690 | $16.68 | -1.5% | 82,300 |
| Rhode Island | $35,420 | $17.03 | +0.5% | 10,160 |
| South Carolina | $18,370 | $8.83 | -47.9% | 47,200 |
| South Dakota | $28,990 | $13.94 | -17.7% | 7,350 |
| Tennessee | $27,760 | $13.35 | -21.2% | 52,120 |
| Texas | $23,240 | $11.18 | -34.0% | 199,610 |
| Utah | $31,150 | $14.98 | -11.6% | 17,790 |
| Vermont | $59,140 | $28.43 | +67.9% | 4,040 |
| Virginia | $44,760 | $21.52 | +27.1% | 59,370 |
| Washington | $56,130 | $26.98 | +59.3% | 45,400 |
| West Virginia | $35,380 | $17.01 | +0.4% | 8,600 |
| Wisconsin | $29,670 | $14.26 | -15.8% | 36,220 |
| Wyoming | $23,920 | $11.50 | -32.1% | 3,620 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $79,920/yr
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators — $46,420/yr
- Electricians — $63,190/yr
- Bartenders — $34,340/yr
- Lawyers — $159,670/yr
- Computer User Support Specialists — $61,860/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for waiters and waitresses?
The median annual wage for waiters and waitresses is $35,230 ($16.94 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays waiters and waitresses the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many waiters and waitresses are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 2,270,910 waiters and waitresses employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do waiters and waitresses make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $16.94. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.