Waiters and Waitresses Wages

SOC 35-3030 • Full occupation profile

The median annual wage for Waiters and Waitresses is $31,940 nationally (2023 BLS OEWS). The 10th percentile is $18,600 and the 90th percentile is $60,100, showing the wide spread of wages in this occupation.

National Wage Distribution (2023)

Employment

2,237,850

P10

$18,600

P25

$23,770

Median

$31,940

P75

$41,600

P90

$60,100

National Wage Trend

How national median and mean wages for Waiters and Waitresses have moved across BLS OEWS release years.

National median and mean wage trend for Waiters and Waitresses across BLS OEWS release years.
Year Median Mean P10 P90 Employment YoY Median
2023 $31,940 $36,530 $18,600 $60,100 2,237,850
2022 $29,120 $33,020 $18,250 $55,360 2,122,210 -8.83%
2021 $26,000 $29,010 $17,840 $45,910 1,804,030 -10.71%
2020 $23,740 $27,470 $17,520 $42,550 1,944,240 -8.69%