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Waiters Salary in the United States

How much does a Waiters make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Waiters in the United States is $23,413 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $11.

However, a Waiters's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $26,607
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $21,329 to $25,085
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $19,433
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Waiters Salaries

A Waiters's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Waiters Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Waiters's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $23,847
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $41,460
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $55,953
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $84,318
  • Expert (over 8 years): $117,442
Levels Salary
Waiters Level Waiters$23,847
Assistant... Level Waiters$41,460
Restauran... Level Waiters$55,953
Regional ... Level Waiters$84,318
Restauran... Level Waiters$117,442
View as Graph

How Do Waiters Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Waiters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $25,922.
  • California: $25,824.
  • Massachusetts: $25,480.

Top Paying Cities for Waiters

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $29,530
  • San Francisco: $29,207
  • Oakland: $28,591

What Skills Can Increase a Waiters's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.92% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Point of Sale (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): Accepting payments from customers for goods and services either in person or online.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.92%
Point of Sale 2.74%
Product Quality 1.88%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Waiters's salary.

  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Products and Services $29,500
26%
Problem Solving $24,115
3%
Collaboration $24,115
3%
Get Latest Data

Waiters Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Waiters roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Waiters positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Waiters as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Waiters

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$28,095$14.020%

Waiters Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Waiters's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$21,329
Average $23,413/year
$25,085
$1,777
Average $1,951/month
$2,090
$410
Average $450/week
$482
$10
Average $11/hour
$12
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $25,085 $2,090 $482 $12
Average $23,413 $1,951 $450 $11
25th Percentile $21,329 $1,777 $410 $10

Most common benefits for Waiters

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Waiters

Here are companies hiring for Waiters and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Waiters

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Waiters?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Waiters roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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