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First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers vs Waiters and Waitresses: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Median Salary
$42,805
Average (Mean)
$46,330
Employed Nationwide
1,223,240
VS

Waiters and Waitresses

Median Salary
$33,964
Average (Mean)
$39,648
Employed Nationwide
2,270,900
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers earns $8,840 more (26.0%)
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers vs Waiters and Waitresses national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersFirst-Line Supervisors of Fo…First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers: $42,805$42,805Waiters and WaitressesWaiters and WaitressesWaiters and Waitresses: $33,965$33,965

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $42,805 $33,964
Average (Mean) Salary $46,330 $39,648
Total Employment 1,223,240 2,270,900
States with Higher Pay 46 5

Salary by State: First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers vs Waiters and Waitresses

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers pays more in 46 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 5.

State First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Waiters and Waitresses Difference
Alabama $37,110
$26,840
+$10,270
Alaska $46,570
$26,310
+$20,260
Arizona $40,550
$43,950
$-3,400
Arkansas $33,800
$24,680
+$9,120
California $46,980
$36,080
+$10,900
Colorado $50,550
$44,860
+$5,690
Connecticut $52,940
$37,770
+$15,170
Delaware $48,120
$36,880
+$11,240
District of Columbia $57,170
$47,850
+$9,320
Florida $44,470
$36,150
+$8,320
Georgia $38,600
$18,700
+$19,900
Hawaii $48,880
$62,390
$-13,510
Idaho $38,190
$30,050
+$8,140
Illinois $39,470
$31,200
+$8,270
Indiana $44,880
$28,480
+$16,400
Iowa $38,760
$21,000
+$17,760
Kansas $38,220
$36,120
+$2,100
Kentucky $35,810
$29,660
+$6,150
Louisiana $35,800
$15,080
+$20,720
Maine $47,990
$43,370
+$4,620
Maryland $42,450
$36,750
+$5,700
Massachusetts $46,600
$38,460
+$8,140
Michigan $37,940
$37,760
+$180
Minnesota $45,270
$25,470
+$19,800
Mississippi $36,530
$21,370
+$15,160
Missouri $37,400
$29,400
+$8,000
Montana $44,010
$23,370
+$20,640
Nebraska $39,230
$33,770
+$5,460
Nevada $44,030
$26,410
+$17,620
New Hampshire $49,710
$38,430
+$11,280
New Jersey $48,420
$44,960
+$3,460
New Mexico $39,310
$36,920
+$2,390
New York $47,190
$47,020
+$170
North Carolina $45,010
$32,150
+$12,860
North Dakota $44,720
$30,890
+$13,830
Ohio $37,340
$36,700
+$640
Oklahoma $35,420
$17,910
+$17,510
Oregon $46,950
$48,410
$-1,460
Pennsylvania $43,050
$34,690
+$8,360
Rhode Island $48,400
$35,420
+$12,980
South Carolina $38,520
$18,370
+$20,150
South Dakota $40,640
$28,990
+$11,650
Tennessee $40,500
$27,760
+$12,740
Texas $36,480
$23,240
+$13,240
Utah $38,750
$31,150
+$7,600
Vermont $49,820
$59,140
$-9,320
Virginia $45,550
$44,760
+$790
Washington $59,400
$56,130
+$3,270
West Virginia $33,070
$35,380
$-2,310
Wisconsin $39,670
$29,670
+$10,000
Wyoming $36,820
$23,920
+$12,900

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers vs Waiters and Waitresses salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers or Waiters and Waitresses?
On average across all states, a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers earns more than a Waiters and Waitresses. The national median salary difference is $8,840 (26.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers earn more than a Waiters and Waitresses?
A First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers earns a higher median salary than a Waiters and Waitresses in 46 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 5 states.
What is the median salary for a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers vs Waiters and Waitresses?
The national median salary for a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers is $42,805 per year, compared to $33,964 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers or Waiters and Waitresses?
There are more people employed as Waiters and Waitresses. BLS reports approximately 1,223,240 First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers positions and 2,270,900 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers or Waiters and Waitresses?
Both First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers and Waiters and Waitresses are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.

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