As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Waiter in the United States is $24,302. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $22,402 to $25,902, with most professionals earning between $20,672 and $27,359.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $25,902 | $2,159 | $498 | $12 |
| Average | $24,302 | $2,025 | $467 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $22,402 | $1,867 | $431 | $11 |
An entry-level Waiter with less than 1 year of experience earns about $24,062. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $24,402. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $24,927. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $24,999, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $25,118.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Waiter | $24,062 |
| Intermediate Level Waiter | $24,402 |
| Senior Level Waiter | $24,927 |
| Specialist Level Waiter | $24,999 |
| Expert Level Waiter | $25,118 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 3% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Waiter compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $30,803 in 2023 to approximately $30,654 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Waiter salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Waiter information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Waiter job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Waiter and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $24,302 | 63.6% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $1,859 | 4.9% | ||
| 401K/403B | $1,191 | 3.1% | ||
| Disability | $389 | 1.0% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 16.7% | ||
| Pension | $1,021 | 2.7% | ||
| Time Off | $3,084 | 8.1% | ||
| Total Compensation | $38,217 | 100% | ||
Waiters typically earn a base salary ranging from $19,602 to $25,402 annually, with a mid-salary of $22,402. Tips can significantly increase their earnings, often adding 15% to 20% or more to their income, depending on service quality. While the minimum wage for tipped workers is $2.13/hour, restaurants must ensure servers receive at least $7.25/hour.
A salary of $50 an hour translates to an annual income of approximately $104,000, which is significantly higher than the average salaries for waiters. The typical salary range for waiters is between $19,602 and $25,402 annually. Therefore, $50 an hour is considered excellent compared to the average earnings in this profession.
The highest paid servers typically earn between $25,402 and $22,402 annually, with a minimum salary of $19,602. While top companies may offer higher salaries, the average range for waiters is significantly lower, reflecting the industry standards.
Generally speaking, servers can earn more in restaurants with higher-priced food and drinks, as tips are a percentage of the bill. Fine dining establishments often yield the best earnings. In terms of salary, waiters can expect a minimum of $19,602, a mid-range salary of $22,402, and a maximum of $25,402, depending on the restaurant and location.
Waiters in the US earn a salary range with a minimum of $19,602, a mid-level salary of $22,402, and a maximum of $25,402. This reflects a more specific pay scale compared to the broader figures, indicating that while some may earn less, others can achieve higher earnings within this range.
As of Jan 28, 2025, the average hourly pay for a waiter in the United States ranges from approximately $9.42 to $12.20, based on an annual salary of $19,602 to $25,402. The majority of waiters earn around $10.77 per hour, reflecting the typical mid-salary of $22,402.
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.
