The average salary for a waiters and waitresse in the United States is $36,530, but the range typically falls between $23,770 and $41,600. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $17.56, with a range between $11.43 and $20.
There are approximately 2,237,850 people employed as a waiters and waitresse in the United States. With California, Texas, Florida employing the highest number of waiters and waitresses.The state with the best pay for a waiters and waitresse is Vermont, with an average annual salary of $60,200, while South Carolina has the lowest average annual salary of $22,770.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $18,600 | $8.94 |
| 25th Percentile | $23,770 | $11.43 |
| Median | $31,940 | $15.36 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,600 | $20 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,100 | $28.89 |
The salary of a waiters and waitresse can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a waiters and waitresse in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for waiters and waitresses are Vermont, Washington, Arizona, New York, Maine while the worst states are South Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi, Montana.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $15,910 | $22,690 | $34,480 |
| Alaska | $22,710 | $36,150 | $76,080 |
| Arizona | $28,810 | $49,080 | $75,890 |
| Arkansas | $23,430 | $29,060 | $39,460 |
| California | $32,240 | $43,200 | $66,040 |
| Colorado | $28,390 | $41,630 | $74,760 |
| Connecticut | $29,980 | $41,760 | $60,760 |
| Delaware | $24,440 | $34,780 | $57,120 |
| District of Columbia | $33,490 | $51,970 | $86,460 |
| Florida | $22,880 | $37,050 | $60,240 |
| Georgia | $16,270 | $28,840 | $46,550 |
| Hawaii | $24,960 | $44,620 | $77,360 |
| Idaho | $16,610 | $32,030 | $48,180 |
| Illinois | $27,040 | $33,910 | $47,170 |
| Indiana | $17,770 | $29,400 | $46,940 |
| Iowa | $17,680 | $30,050 | $48,230 |
| Kansas | $17,630 | $34,520 | $55,650 |
| Kentucky | $15,920 | $29,120 | $56,570 |
| Louisiana | $16,710 | $29,160 | $47,110 |
| Maine | $29,270 | $47,570 | $74,590 |
| Maryland | $27,700 | $39,430 | $59,300 |
| Massachusetts | $31,210 | $40,830 | $64,270 |
| Michigan | $22,150 | $39,590 | $61,210 |
| Minnesota | $22,030 | $25,850 | $30,460 |
| Mississippi | $16,210 | $24,610 | $39,690 |
| Missouri | $24,960 | $36,810 | $54,540 |
| Montana | $20,700 | $23,950 | $28,750 |
| Nebraska | $21,840 | $37,330 | $61,360 |
| Nevada | $21,750 | $32,360 | $37,750 |
| New Hampshire | $20,870 | $39,070 | $62,160 |
| New Jersey | $29,910 | $46,590 | $76,330 |
| New Mexico | $24,960 | $37,590 | $59,420 |
| New York | $31,070 | $51,040 | $91,570 |
| North Carolina | $17,200 | $29,990 | $56,200 |
| North Dakota | $18,000 | $35,210 | $60,950 |
| Ohio | $21,400 | $33,930 | $50,830 |
| Oklahoma | $16,520 | $24,590 | $39,580 |
| Oregon | $28,380 | $34,250 | $45,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $17,810 | $33,890 | $54,120 |
| Rhode Island | $27,040 | $41,900 | $62,280 |
| South Carolina | $17,140 | $22,770 | $35,800 |
| South Dakota | $23,890 | $28,590 | $34,810 |
| Tennessee | $17,580 | $29,210 | $47,470 |
| Texas | $17,480 | $29,350 | $44,440 |
| Utah | $16,500 | $35,480 | $58,630 |
| Vermont | $28,530 | $60,200 | $96,030 |
| Virginia | $24,960 | $37,580 | $57,620 |
| Washington | $33,020 | $57,960 | $95,000 |
| West Virginia | $18,970 | $33,410 | $57,060 |
| Wisconsin | $16,740 | $31,230 | $48,320 |
| Wyoming | $17,440 | $30,300 | $59,290 |
Even between cities, the salary of a waiters and waitresse can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for waiters and waitresses is Burlington-South Burlington area, VT with an average salary of $63,850.The city with the lowest average salary for waiters and waitresses is Lower Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area, SC with an average salary of $20,320.
Areas with highest average salaries for waiters and waitresses
Areas with lowest average salaries for waiters and waitresses
The number of waiters and waitresses in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of waiters and waitresses has increased by 293,610. On average, the number of waiters and waitresses has been increasing by 3.8% each year. The salary of waiters and waitresses has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of waiters and waitresses has increased by $9,060. On average, the salary of waiters and waitresses has been increasing by 8.2% each year.
Waiters and Waitresses are part of the food preparation and serving related occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for waiters and waitresses compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all food preparation and serving related occupations jobs here.
$30,750 per year
$37,610 per year
$62,640 per year
$33,840 per year
$30,110 per year
$37,090 per year
