How much does a waiter and waitress make in Columbus?
$37,490a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Columbus, OH metro area. That is $18.02 an hour or $3,124 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.02
- Vs. national median
- +6%
- Rank among cities
- 82 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 15,900
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,370Median: $37,490Highest 10%: $63,250
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,370 | $11.72 | |
| 25th | $29,620 | $14.24 | |
| Median | $37,490 | $18.02 | |
| 75th | $49,400 | $23.75 | |
| 90th | $63,250 | $30.41 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Lima, OH | $36,720 |
| Dayton, OH | $36,600 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $36,530 |
| Cleveland, OH | $36,260 |
| 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 Columbus
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,830 |
| Cook | $38,100 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,790 |
| Bartender | $37,000 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,930 |
| Cook | $36,590 |
| Cook | $35,200 |
| Dishwasher | $33,690 |
| Food Server | $32,250 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $30,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Columbus?
The median hourly pay in the Columbus, OH metro area is $18.02 ($37,490 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Columbus than the national average?
Yes: $37,490 against $35,230 nationally, 6% more.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $36,700, so Columbus pays 2% more.
Where does Columbus rank for waiter and waitress pay?
82 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $24,370 or less a year; the top 10% make $63,250 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.