How much does a waiter and waitress make in Reading?
$30,760a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Reading, PA metro area. That is $14.79 an hour or $2,563 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.79
- Vs. national median
- -13%
- Rank among cities
- 206 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 2,060
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $16,920Median: $30,760Highest 10%: $61,650
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,920 | $8.13 | |
| 25th | $23,290 | $11.20 | |
| Median | $30,760 | $14.79 | |
| 75th | $45,970 | $22.10 | |
| 90th | $61,650 | $29.64 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Philadelphia, PA | $36,570 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,470 |
| State College, PA | $35,280 |
| Allentown, PA | $34,630 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $34,260 |
| York, PA | $33,750 |
| Lancaster, PA | $32,190 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $31,390 |
| Lebanon, PA | $30,300 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $30,030 |
| Scranton, PA | $29,770 |
| Williamsport, PA | $29,320 |
| Erie, PA | $28,590 |
| Johnstown, PA | $28,280 |
| Altoona, PA | $27,630 |
Related jobs in Reading
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,980 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,800 |
| Cook | $36,590 |
| Cook | $36,020 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,580 |
| Food Server | $30,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $28,910 |
| Bartender | $28,260 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,190 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,090 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Reading?
The median hourly pay in the Reading, PA metro area is $14.79 ($30,760 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Reading than the national average?
No: $30,760 against $35,230 nationally, 13% less.
How does Reading compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $34,690, so Reading pays 11% less.
Where does Reading rank for waiter and waitress pay?
206 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Reading?
The lowest-paid 10% make $16,920 or less a year; the top 10% make $61,650 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.