Waiters and Waitresses Employment & Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024)

Pennsylvania employs 81,500 Waiters and Waitresses professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Pennsylvania employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
81,500
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
81.5
workers
Location Quotient
1.86
vs national avg
Average Salary
$33K
annual

High Demand in Pennsylvania

The location quotient (LQ) of 1.86 indicates that Pennsylvania has a higher-than-average concentration of Waiters and Waitresses professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Pennsylvania vs National Average

Total Employed
81,500
National: 2,237,890
3.6% of national
Jobs per 1,000
81.5
National: 43.88
+85.7%
Average Salary
$33K
National: $35K
-5.6%

Top States by Waiters and Waitresses Employment

#1
225,040
225,040
employed
#2
202,590
202,590
employed
#3
198,440
198,440
employed
#4
130,190
130,190
employed
#5
86,200
86,200
employed
#6
81,500
81,500
employed
#7
76,110
76,110
employed
#8
71,840
71,840
employed
#9
70,420
70,420
employed
#10
67,010
67,010
employed

What Does a Waiters and Waitresses Earn in Pennsylvania?

The average annual salary for a Waiters and Waitresses in Pennsylvania is $33,890. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Waiters and Waitresses jobs are there in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania employs approximately 81,500 Waiters and Waitresses professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks Pennsylvania among the top states nationwide.

Is Waiters and Waitresses in demand in Pennsylvania?

Yes — Pennsylvania has above-average concentration of Waiters and Waitresses jobs (LQ: 1.86). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Pennsylvania?

The average (mean) salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Pennsylvania is $33890/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Waiters and Waitresses professionals?

The top state for Waiters and Waitresses employment is California with 225,040 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Waiters and Waitresses (SOC 353031) in Pennsylvania.

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