Waiters and Waitresses Salary Guide 2025: Median $35,230, Outlook -0.7%
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the U.S. is $35,230 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That works out to roughly $17 an hour. But the range is wide: the bottom 10% earn about $18,100, while the top 10% pull in $64,720. With 2.27 million people in the occupation, it's one of the largest jobs in the country—even as the BLS projects a slight decline of 0.7% through 2034.
How much Waiters and Waitresses earn
The national mean wage for waiters and waitresses is $40,060, driven by high earners at upscale restaurants. Hourly pay averaged $17.00. But actual pay varies dramatically by establishment type, tip culture, and hours worked.
Breaking down the percentiles: the 10th percentile makes $18,100; the 25th, $22,590; the 50th (median), $35,230; the 75th, $46,440; and the 90th, $64,720. The wage gap reflects factors like fine dining vs. casual, geographic location, and experience.
- Median: $35,230/year
- Mean: $40,060/year ($17.00/hour)
- Range (10th-90th): $18,100 – $64,720
- Employment: 2,270,910
Pay by state
Where you work matters enormously. Hawaii tops the list at $62,390 average annual salary—likely due to high tourism volume and cost of living. Vermont follows at $59,140, then Washington at $56,130, Oregon at $48,410, and D.C. at $47,850.
At the low end, South Carolina waiters earn a median of $18,370. Oklahoma sits at $17,910, and Louisiana brings up the rear at $15,080—which is below the federal minimum wage for tipped employees in some cases. State tip credits and minimum wage laws drive these differences.
How to become Waiters and Waitresses
No formal education is required beyond a high school diploma or equivalent. Most waitstaff learn on the job, often starting as bussers or food runners. The typical path: apply at a restaurant, get hired, and complete a short training period covering menu knowledge, point-of-sale systems, and service procedures.
Some states require a food handler's permit or alcohol server certification, especially for serving alcohol. These are usually cheap and quick (often under $50). No college degree is needed, though some hospitality programs offer certificates. Key skills include memory, speed, customer service, and grace under pressure.
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training (few days to weeks)
- Optional: food handler card or alcohol server permit (state-dependent)
- No degree required; upward mobility to head waiter or manager possible with experience
Job outlook
The BLS projects a 0.7% decline in employment from 2024 to 2034, meaning the occupation is expected to shrink slightly. That said, about 456,700 openings will arise each year over the decade, mostly from workers leaving the industry. High turnover is baked into the job.
Growth pressures include automation (table ordering, self-serve kiosks) and changing consumer habits. But full-service restaurants still need human servers, especially in fine dining. The best opportunities will be at higher-end establishments and in tourism-heavy states like those topping the salary list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting salary for a waiter or waitress?
New hires often earn at the 10th percentile or below, around $18,100 annually. Many earn tips that supplement a lower base wage, so actual take-home pay can be higher.
Do waiters and waitresses get benefits?
Benefits are rare in the industry. Part-time or tipped servers often lack health insurance, paid leave, or retirement plans. Some full-time positions at upscale restaurants or chains may offer limited benefits.
Is waiter or waitress a good career?
It depends on your goals. The pay can be decent (top earners over $60K) and flexible. But the job is physically demanding, has high turnover, and offers limited advancement without moving into management or ownership.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Waiters and Waitresses data.