Waitstaff Salary in Orono, ME

How much does a Waitstaff make in Orono, ME?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Waitstaff in Orono, ME is $23,043 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $11.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $26,186
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $20,993 to $24,688
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $19,127
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View as table View as graph 25% $20,993 10% $19,127 90% $26,186 75% $24,688 $23,043 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Waitstaff Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $24,688 $2,057 $475 $12
Average $23,043 $1,920 $443 $11
25th Percentile $20,993 $1,749 $404 $10
Check out Waitstaff Job Openings in Orono, ME
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EGNITE HR LLC - Orono, ME

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springfield staffing solution - Orono, ME

Case Manager Support Coordinator

Care Lync - Orono, ME

Temporary

Maine's Public Universities - Orono, ME

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Key Factors That Influence Waitstaff Salaries

A Waitstaff'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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Waitstaff Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Waitstaff'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): $23,470
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $40,792
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $55,054
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $82,949
  • Expert (over 8 years): $115,521
Levels Salary
Waitstaff... Level Waitstaff$23,470
Assistant... Level Waitstaff$40,792
Restauran... Level Waitstaff$55,054
Regional ... Level Waitstaff$82,949
Restauran... Level Waitstaff$115,521
$23,470 0 yr
$40,792 < 2 yrs
$55,054 2-4 yrs
$82,949 5-8 yrs
$115,521 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Waitstafves

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: $30,346
  • San Francisco: $30,013
  • Oakland: $29,381

What Skills Can Increase a Waitstaff'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.92%
Point of Sale 2.74%
Product Quality 1.88%
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 Waitstaff'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
$29,034
26%
Problem Solving
$23,734
3%
Collaboration
$23,734
3%
Team Management
$23,734
3%
Food Safety
$23,273
1%
Leadership
$23,273
1%
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Waitstaff Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Waitstaff 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, Waitstaff positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Waitstaff as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Waitstaff

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$27,651$13.020%

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

Understanding how a Waitstaff'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 August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Waitstaff Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Waitstaff job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • University Of Maine System

    Orono, ME

    University Of Maine System | Orono, ME

    Applications are invited for a joint tenure-track Assistant Professor position at the University of Maine (UMaine) in the Department of Chemical and Biomed... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Maine's Public Universities

    Orono, ME

    Maine's Public Universities | Orono, ME

    Job DescriptionMajor responsibilities of this position include the recruitment of first-year and transfer students, working closely with students, families... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Geneis Healthcare

    Orono, ME

    Geneis Healthcare | Orono, ME

    CNA OpportunitiesOrono seeks full time, day shift or evening shift CNAs to join our team. 8 hour shifts, rotating weekends.At Genesis Healthcare, we are de... more

    7 Days Ago

  • TalentBurst

    Orono, ME

    TalentBurst | Orono, ME

    TalentBurst, Inc is seeking a travel nurse RN Manager for a travel nursing job in Orono, Maine. Job Description & Requirements Specialty:Manager Discipline... more

    7 Days Ago

  • University of Maine

    Orono, ME

    University of Maine | Orono, ME

    Administrative Support For PhD In Nursing ProgramThe primary purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive administrative, operational, and technolo... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Soliant Health

    Orono, ME

    Soliant Health | Orono, ME

    A school district in Orono, ME, is seeking a skilled School Psychologist to support the educational and emotional well-being of its student population. Thi... more

    7 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In Orono, ME

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