Waiters and Waitresses Salary by State
The national median pay for waiters and waitresses is $35,230 a year. By state, it ranges from $15,080 in Louisiana to $62,390 in Hawaii.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $18,100
- 25th percentile
- $27,750
- Median
- $35,230
- 75th percentile
- $47,110
- Top 10%
- $64,720
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 2,270,910 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $62,390 | +77% | $29,120 | $119,870 | 14,090 |
| 2 | Vermont | $59,140 | +68% | $29,690 | $89,330 | 4,040 |
| 3 | Washington | $56,130 | +59% | $36,710 | $94,930 | 45,400 |
| 4 | Oregon | $48,410 | +37% | $31,200 | $77,620 | 23,040 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $47,850 | +36% | $36,400 | $100,240 | 11,530 |
| 6 | New York | $47,020 | +33% | $33,540 | $83,210 | 142,940 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $44,960 | +28% | $32,220 | $78,510 | 55,800 |
| 8 | Colorado | $44,860 | +27% | $30,800 | $78,160 | 40,680 |
| 9 | Virginia | $44,760 | +27% | $28,270 | $74,130 | 59,370 |
| 10 | Arizona | $43,950 | +25% | $30,580 | $78,920 | 55,950 |
| 11 | Maine | $43,370 | +23% | $30,490 | $82,930 | 9,090 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $38,460 | +9% | $31,790 | $62,200 | 54,670 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $38,430 | +9% | $21,060 | $72,810 | 10,030 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $37,770 | +7% | $34,010 | $72,060 | 22,370 |
| 15 | Michigan | $37,760 | +7% | $25,960 | $64,350 | 65,090 |
| 16 | New Mexico | $36,920 | +5% | $26,670 | $69,410 | 12,740 |
| 17 | Delaware | $36,880 | +5% | $31,200 | $62,000 | 7,580 |
| 18 | Maryland | $36,750 | +4% | $31,200 | $62,210 | 38,120 |
| 19 | Ohio | $36,700 | +4% | $23,820 | $63,740 | 77,250 |
| 20 | Florida | $36,150 | +3% | $27,230 | $63,580 | 207,180 |
| 21 | Kansas | $36,120 | +3% | $17,370 | $62,890 | 19,480 |
| 22 | California | $36,080 | +2% | $34,320 | $68,950 | 229,970 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $35,420 | +1% | $31,200 | $62,680 | 10,160 |
| 24 | West Virginia | $35,380 | 0% | $20,230 | $60,560 | 8,600 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $34,690 | −2% | $18,400 | $61,780 | 82,300 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $33,770 | −4% | $28,080 | $59,420 | 13,310 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $32,150 | −9% | $17,140 | $62,670 | 71,940 |
| 28 | Illinois | $31,200 | −11% | $31,200 | $49,470 | 72,900 |
| 29 | Utah | $31,150 | −12% | $18,550 | $60,320 | 17,790 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $30,890 | −12% | $18,470 | $60,570 | 5,250 |
| 31 | Idaho | $30,050 | −15% | $16,770 | $62,220 | 10,950 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $29,670 | −16% | $16,830 | $61,770 | 36,220 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $29,660 | −16% | $16,520 | $62,030 | 27,150 |
| 34 | Missouri | $29,400 | −17% | $28,600 | $61,440 | 41,640 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $28,990 | −18% | $27,030 | $37,290 | 7,350 |
| 36 | Indiana | $28,480 | −19% | $17,640 | $48,350 | 43,620 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $27,760 | −21% | $15,080 | $47,660 | 52,120 |
| 38 | Alabama | $26,840 | −24% | $16,550 | $36,090 | 28,760 |
| 39 | Nevada | $26,410 | −25% | $24,960 | $50,140 | 42,520 |
| 40 | Alaska | $26,310 | −25% | $24,770 | $64,080 | 3,830 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $25,470 | −28% | $23,150 | $41,800 | 37,630 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $24,680 | −30% | $23,040 | $43,810 | 17,880 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $23,920 | −32% | $18,000 | $56,260 | 3,620 |
| 44 | Montana | $23,370 | −34% | $21,940 | $45,420 | 7,200 |
| 45 | Texas | $23,240 | −34% | $17,070 | $47,590 | 199,610 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $21,370 | −39% | $15,330 | $39,420 | 15,190 |
| 47 | Iowa | $21,000 | −40% | $15,080 | $47,980 | 22,410 |
| 48 | Georgia | $18,700 | −47% | $15,080 | $46,860 | 76,470 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $18,370 | −48% | $15,080 | $46,820 | 47,200 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $17,910 | −49% | $15,230 | $47,630 | 27,000 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $15,080 | −57% | $15,080 | $38,060 | 33,870 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Waiters and Waitresses salary questions
Which state pays waiters and waitresses the most?
Hawaii, with a median of $62,390 a year (+77% vs. the national median of $35,230). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays waiters and waitresses the least?
Louisiana, with a median of $15,080 a year (−57% vs. national).
Where do most waiters and waitresses work?
California has the most jobs, about 229,970, with a median of $36,080.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.