How much does a waiter and waitress make in Buffalo?
$46,580a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area. That is $22.39 an hour or $3,882 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.39
- Vs. national median
- +32%
- Rank among cities
- 31 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 7,990
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,240Median: $46,580Highest 10%: $86,590
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| 25th | $35,460 | $17.05 | |
| Median | $46,580 | $22.39 | |
| 75th | $63,110 | $30.34 | |
| 90th | $86,590 | $41.63 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Albany, NY | $48,980 |
| Syracuse, NY | $47,640 |
| New York, NY | $47,610 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $46,950 |
| Binghamton, NY | $46,600 |
| Kingston, NY | $46,440 |
| Elmira, NY | $46,160 |
| Ithaca, NY | $46,090 |
| Utica, NY | $45,950 |
| Rochester, NY | $45,310 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $43,900 |
| Watertown, NY | $38,590 |
Related jobs in Buffalo
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,290 |
| Bartender | $46,920 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,720 |
| Cook | $41,860 |
| Cook | $38,580 |
| Cook | $38,060 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,140 |
| Dishwasher | $35,080 |
| Cook | $34,730 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Buffalo?
The median hourly pay in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $22.39 ($46,580 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Buffalo than the national average?
Yes: $46,580 against $35,230 nationally, 32% more.
How does Buffalo compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $47,020, so Buffalo pays 1% less.
Where does Buffalo rank for waiter and waitress pay?
31 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Buffalo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $86,590 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.