How much does a waiter and waitress make in Portland?
$44,070a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area. That is $21.19 an hour or $3,673 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.19
- Vs. national median
- +25%
- Rank among cities
- 44 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 5,070
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,130Median: $44,070Highest 10%: $87,790
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,130 | $14.97 | |
| 25th | $33,960 | $16.33 | |
| Median | $44,070 | $21.19 | |
| 75th | $63,400 | $30.48 | |
| 90th | $87,790 | $42.21 |
Other cities in Maine
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Bangor, ME | $45,610 |
| Lewiston, ME | $43,130 |
Related jobs in Portland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $57,380 |
| Bartender | $54,170 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $49,880 |
| Cook | $47,000 |
| Cook | $46,560 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,260 |
| Food Server | $37,200 |
| Host and Hostess | $37,100 |
| Cook | $36,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Portland?
The median hourly pay in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $21.19 ($44,070 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Portland than the national average?
Yes: $44,070 against $35,230 nationally, 25% more.
How does Portland compare with the rest of Maine?
The median in Maine is $43,370, so Portland pays 2% more.
Where does Portland rank for waiter and waitress pay?
44 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,130 or less a year; the top 10% make $87,790 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.