How much does a waiter and waitress make in Cleveland?
$36,260a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Cleveland, OH metro area. That is $17.43 an hour or $3,022 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.43
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 116 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 14,120
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,220Median: $36,260Highest 10%: $76,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,220 | $11.64 | |
| 25th | $29,050 | $13.97 | |
| Median | $36,260 | $17.43 | |
| 75th | $46,940 | $22.57 | |
| 90th | $76,600 | $36.83 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Columbus, OH | $37,490 |
| Lima, OH | $36,720 |
| Dayton, OH | $36,600 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $36,530 |
| Canton, OH | $36,210 |
| Akron, OH | $36,150 |
| Toledo, OH | $36,140 |
| Springfield, OH | $36,060 |
| Weirton, WV | $35,840 |
| Mansfield, OH | $35,170 |
| Sandusky, OH | $34,610 |
| Youngstown, OH | $33,910 |
| Wheeling, WV | $30,740 |
| Huntington, WV | $30,690 |
Related jobs in Cleveland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $57,020 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,700 |
| Cook | $37,060 |
| Cook | $36,930 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,360 |
| Bartender | $33,470 |
| Food Server | $30,350 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,400 |
| Dishwasher | $29,360 |
| Cook | $29,120 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Cleveland?
The median hourly pay in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $17.43 ($36,260 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Cleveland than the national average?
Yes: $36,260 against $35,230 nationally, 3% more.
How does Cleveland compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $36,700, so Cleveland pays 1% less.
Where does Cleveland rank for waiter and waitress pay?
116 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Cleveland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $24,220 or less a year; the top 10% make $76,600 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.