How much does a waiter and waitress make in Lakeland?
$35,270a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area. That is $16.96 an hour or $2,939 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.96
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 149 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 3,730
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,050Median: $35,270Highest 10%: $60,030
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,050 | $13.00 | |
| 25th | $28,490 | $13.70 | |
| Median | $35,270 | $16.96 | |
| 75th | $45,560 | $21.90 | |
| 90th | $60,030 | $28.86 |
Other cities in Florida
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Naples, FL | $37,550 |
| Crestview, FL | $37,370 |
| Tampa, FL | $37,070 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $36,670 |
| Cape Coral, FL | $36,660 |
| North Port, FL | $36,660 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $36,630 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $36,360 |
| Wildwood, FL | $36,340 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $36,250 |
| Miami, FL | $36,070 |
| Sebastian, FL | $36,060 |
| Deltona, FL | $35,440 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $35,410 |
| Orlando, FL | $35,410 |
| Gainesville, FL | $35,400 |
| Pensacola, FL | $35,340 |
| Panama City, FL | $34,990 |
| Sebring, FL | $34,960 |
| Ocala, FL | $34,890 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $34,850 |
Related jobs in Lakeland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $50,720 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,220 |
| Cook | $36,250 |
| Cook | $35,600 |
| Cook | $35,320 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $34,930 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,610 |
| Bartender | $33,920 |
| Food Server | $33,670 |
| Dishwasher | $29,190 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Lakeland?
The median hourly pay in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $16.96 ($35,270 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Lakeland than the national average?
Yes: $35,270 against $35,230 nationally, 0% more.
How does Lakeland compare with the rest of Florida?
The median in Florida is $36,150, so Lakeland pays 2% less.
Where does Lakeland rank for waiter and waitress pay?
149 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Lakeland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,050 or less a year; the top 10% make $60,030 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.