As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Waitress in the United States is $24,301. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $22,401 to $25,901, with most professionals earning between $20,671 and $27,358.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $25,901 | $2,158 | $498 | $12 |
| Average | $24,301 | $2,025 | $467 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $22,401 | $1,867 | $431 | $11 |
An entry-level Waitress with less than 1 year of experience earns about $24,061. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $24,401. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $24,926. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $24,998, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $25,117.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Waitress | $24,061 |
| Intermediate Level Waitress | $24,401 |
| Senior Level Waitress | $24,926 |
| Specialist Level Waitress | $24,998 |
| Expert Level Waitress | $25,117 |
| 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 Waitress 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 Waitress 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 Waitress information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Waitress job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Waitress and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $24,301 | 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 | $38,215 | 100% | ||
Waitresses typically earn between $19,601 and $25,401 annually, with a mid-salary of $22,401. While some may earn higher through tips and bonuses, reaching $100,000 a year is uncommon in this profession. Most waitresses earn significantly less than that, primarily depending on the establishment and location.
While the average salary for waitresses ranges from $19,601 to $25,401, some high-end establishments may allow servers to earn significantly more. For instance, at Marea in New York, servers can potentially make up to $100,000 a year through a combination of alcohol sales, high table volume, and pooled tips, though this is not typical for all waitstaff.
Waitresses typically earn an hourly wage that can range from $19,601 to $25,401 annually, supplemented by tips. If their total earnings, including tips, do not meet the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, employers are required to compensate the difference to ensure fair pay.
The highest paid servers can earn significantly more than the average waitress salary, which ranges from $19,601 to $25,401 annually. While top companies like Gunther and I Love Sushi Seattle offer salaries between $60K and $105K, the average waitress salary reflects a more modest earning potential within the industry.
Servers often earn a base wage of $2.13 an hour due to the expectation that tips will significantly supplement their income. In many regions, this lower wage is offset by the potential for higher earnings through gratuities. For instance, waitresses typically earn between $19,601 and $25,401 annually, depending on their experience and the establishment's location.
A salary of $20 an hour translates to approximately $41,600 annually, which is below the average salary range for a waitress. The typical salary for waitresses ranges from $19,601 to $25,401, with a mid-salary of $22,401. Therefore, while $20 an hour is decent, it may not fully reflect the earning potential in this field.
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.
