Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Waiters and Waitresses salary grow from entry-level to senior? National salary progression based on 51 states with BLS data.
158% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • National averages across 51 states • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Waiters and Waitresses spans from $24,230 at entry-level to $62,593 at senior level — a difference of $38,363 per year.
Senior Waiters and Waitressess earn $38,363 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Waiters and Waitresses salary increases with experience, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $24,230 | $2,019 | $11.65 |
| Early Career | P25 | $26,560 | $2,213 | $12.77 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $33,965 | $2,830 | $16.33 |
| Experienced | P75 | $46,785 | $3,899 | $22.49 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $62,593 | $5,216 | $30.09 |
Waiters and Waitresses shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $24,230, while senior-level professionals earn $62,593 — a 158% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($33,965) and experienced level ($46,785), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.
Which states pay the highest senior-level salaries for Waiters and Waitresses? Top 10 states ranked by 90th percentile (senior) pay.
Entry-level Waiters and Waitressess (10th percentile) earn approximately $24,230 per year, or $2,019 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $26,560. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Waiters and Waitressess (90th percentile) earn approximately $62,593 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $46,785. This represents a career premium of 158% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Waiters and Waitressess is 158%. Entry-level professionals start at $24,230, while senior-level can earn up to $62,593 — a difference of $38,363 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Waiters and Waitressess is Hawaii, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $119,870 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 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.
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Salary percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. National averages are computed across 51 states and the District of Columbia. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. Actual salaries vary based on location, employer, experience, education, and certifications.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS