Waiters and Waitresses
Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
Also called: Banquet Server, Banquet Waiter, Banquet Waitress, Bar Waiter, Bar Waitress, Buffet Waiter
Median pay
$35,230
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$18,100 – $64,720
People employed
2,270,910
Holland code
CSR
Conventional · Social · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 2.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 3.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 4.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 5.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 6.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 7.Do you want the same hours every week?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
Waiters and Waitresses pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What waiters and waitresses do
- 01Collect payments from customers.
- 02Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- 03Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
- 04Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.
- 05Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
- 06Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
- Food Production
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Optimism
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from waiters and waitresses
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop90% · −11%
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers87% · −4%
- Cashiers81% · −7%
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers80% · −7%
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks79% · 0%
Change into waiters and waitresses
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop91% · $31,200
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers87% · $33,980
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants81% · $36,300
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers80% · $32,910
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks79% · $35,070