How much does a waiter and waitress make in Raleigh?
$34,860a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area. That is $16.76 an hour or $2,905 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.76
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 164 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 10,290
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $17,850Median: $34,860Highest 10%: $64,240
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,850 | $8.58 | |
| 25th | $22,090 | $10.62 | |
| Median | $34,860 | $16.76 | |
| 75th | $48,990 | $23.55 | |
| 90th | $64,240 | $30.88 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Virginia Beach, VA | $39,020 |
| Charlotte, NC | $36,430 |
| Durham, NC | $35,230 |
| Asheville, NC | $34,450 |
| Pinehurst, NC | $34,080 |
| Wilmington, NC | $30,610 |
| Greensboro, NC | $30,060 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $29,550 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $29,520 |
| Burlington, NC | $29,330 |
| Hickory, NC | $29,310 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $28,870 |
| Greenville, NC | $28,680 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $28,530 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $26,900 |
Related jobs in Raleigh
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $61,190 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $46,020 |
| Cook | $37,460 |
| Cook | $36,280 |
| Bartender | $36,120 |
| Food Server | $32,470 |
| Dishwasher | $31,300 |
| Cook | $31,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $29,890 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Raleigh?
The median hourly pay in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $16.76 ($34,860 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Raleigh than the national average?
No: $34,860 against $35,230 nationally, 1% less.
How does Raleigh compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $32,150, so Raleigh pays 8% more.
Where does Raleigh rank for waiter and waitress pay?
164 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Raleigh?
The lowest-paid 10% make $17,850 or less a year; the top 10% make $64,240 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.