How does Waiters and Waitresses salary grow from entry-level to senior in New Jersey? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.
155% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2024 • New Jersey salary data • Updated 2026-04-06
The salary range for Waiters and Waitresses in New Jersey spans from $29,910 at entry-level to $76,330 at senior level — a difference of $46,420 per year.
Senior Waiters and Waitressess in New Jersey earn $46,420 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Waiters and Waitresses salary increases with experience in New Jersey, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $29,910 | $2,492 | $14.38 |
| Early Career | P25 | $30,830 | $2,569 | $14.82 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $37,270 | $3,106 | $17.92 |
| Experienced | P75 | $49,930 | $4,161 | $24.00 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $76,330 | $6,361 | $36.70 |
Waiters and Waitresses in New Jersey shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $29,910, while senior-level professionals earn $76,330 — a 155% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($37,270) and experienced level ($49,930), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.
Where does New Jersey rank for Waiters and Waitresses senior-level salaries? Compare New Jersey's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
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Entry-level Waiters and Waitressess (10th percentile) earn approximately $29,910 per year, or $2,492 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $30,830. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Waiters and Waitressess (90th percentile) earn approximately $76,330 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $49,930. This represents a career premium of 155% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Waiters and Waitressess is 155%. Entry-level professionals start at $29,910, while senior-level can earn up to $76,330 — a difference of $46,420 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Waiters and Waitressess is New Jersey, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $76,330 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
Salary percentile data for New Jersey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within New Jersey.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS