Waiters and Waitresses Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 50 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Waiters and Waitresses Salary in All 50 States
Compare Waiters and Waitresses pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $60,910 | $61,610 | $29,300 | $98,650 | 3,730 |
| Hawaii | $48,570 | $59,710 | $29,120 | $105,480 | 13,830 |
| Washington | $47,490 | $55,520 | $34,910 | $91,730 | 43,720 |
| New York | $46,460 | $53,360 | $31,900 | $84,810 | 140,890 |
| Maine | $44,550 | $52,390 | $29,950 | $95,720 | 8,540 |
| Rhode Island | $42,600 | $43,930 | $29,120 | $63,260 | 11,010 |
| New Hampshire | $39,270 | $44,310 | $21,960 | $69,190 | 10,840 |
| New Jersey | $38,720 | $49,510 | $31,590 | $79,090 | 56,560 |
| Virginia | $36,990 | $43,130 | $27,550 | $69,410 | 61,260 |
| Arizona | $36,730 | $47,660 | $29,850 | $77,790 | 55,010 |
| Connecticut | $36,440 | $45,590 | $32,640 | $72,880 | 21,720 |
| Massachusetts | $36,390 | $44,550 | $31,400 | $70,560 | 50,160 |
| Ohio | $36,030 | $38,910 | $22,860 | $60,120 | 76,260 |
| Michigan | $35,940 | $40,530 | $22,010 | $63,800 | 64,920 |
| California | $35,290 | $44,250 | $33,310 | $70,450 | 243,300 |
| Maryland | $35,140 | $41,640 | $31,200 | $60,980 | 37,680 |
| Colorado | $34,990 | $46,950 | $29,990 | $78,050 | 42,510 |
| Nebraska | $34,000 | $39,660 | $24,960 | $61,050 | 12,930 |
| Oregon | $33,930 | $42,530 | $29,840 | $65,550 | 22,920 |
| Delaware | $33,750 | $39,820 | $27,560 | $61,900 | 8,040 |
| Kansas | $31,560 | $35,080 | $15,850 | $60,170 | 20,290 |
| Idaho | $30,540 | $33,780 | $16,920 | $59,760 | 11,590 |
| New Mexico | $30,440 | $38,420 | $25,770 | $59,880 | 13,370 |
| West Virginia | $30,320 | $36,650 | $19,310 | $59,380 | 9,190 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,300 | $36,610 | $18,350 | $60,510 | 82,920 |
| Utah | $29,860 | $34,030 | $16,680 | $57,650 | 18,030 |
| Florida | $29,580 | $39,040 | $24,960 | $64,990 | 208,920 |
| North Dakota | $29,420 | $35,600 | $17,910 | $62,520 | 5,290 |
| Illinois | $29,120 | $34,700 | $29,120 | $47,830 | 84,550 |
| South Dakota | $29,080 | $30,780 | $25,590 | $37,560 | 7,080 |
| Wisconsin | $29,050 | $32,370 | $17,100 | $48,120 | 39,510 |
| North Carolina | $28,460 | $32,670 | $17,210 | $58,390 | 74,110 |
| Tennessee | $28,410 | $30,390 | $15,080 | $48,420 | 53,400 |
| Texas | $27,930 | $31,730 | $17,710 | $49,200 | 210,170 |
| Indiana | $27,420 | $30,970 | $17,410 | $48,000 | 43,880 |
| Alaska | $27,370 | $37,710 | $24,400 | $79,560 | 3,980 |
| Missouri | $26,950 | $32,790 | $25,580 | $48,270 | 43,360 |
| Arkansas | $26,350 | $29,380 | $22,880 | $44,430 | 17,820 |
| Iowa | $26,140 | $29,710 | $15,080 | $49,380 | 21,440 |
| Wyoming | $25,340 | $31,240 | $17,340 | $53,250 | 3,710 |
| Nevada | $24,960 | $31,660 | $22,790 | $35,760 | 39,910 |
| Minnesota | $24,470 | $27,970 | $22,570 | $35,120 | 38,540 |
| Montana | $22,630 | $28,660 | $21,420 | $44,580 | 7,630 |
| Kentucky | $22,260 | $29,120 | $15,880 | $50,200 | 27,800 |
| Alabama | $21,920 | $24,420 | $15,950 | $35,560 | 28,540 |
| Mississippi | $20,340 | $24,490 | $15,930 | $37,740 | 16,160 |
| Georgia | $20,040 | $27,340 | $15,080 | $47,060 | 71,870 |
| Oklahoma | $19,890 | $27,920 | $16,190 | $47,030 | 26,460 |
| South Carolina | $18,530 | $24,360 | $15,080 | $40,230 | 43,730 |
| Louisiana | $16,880 | $24,240 | $15,080 | $43,690 | 33,170 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Waiters and Waitresses Salary FAQs
Which state pays Waiters and Waitressess the most?
Vermont pays the highest median salary for Waiters and Waitressess at $60,910 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Vermont ($60,910), Hawaii ($48,570), Washington ($47,490), New York ($46,460), Maine ($44,550).
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary nationally?
The average median Waiters and Waitresses salary across all 50 states is $31,595 per year. The salary ranges from $16,880 in Louisiana to $60,910 in Vermont — a difference of $44,030.
Which state pays Waiters and Waitressess the least?
Louisiana has the lowest median Waiters and Waitresses salary at $16,880 per year. However, cost of living in Louisiana may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.