How much does a waiter and waitress make in Rochester?
$45,310a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Rochester, NY metro area. That is $21.78 an hour or $3,776 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.78
- Vs. national median
- +29%
- Rank among cities
- 41 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 6,070
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,240Median: $45,310Highest 10%: $80,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| 25th | $33,470 | $16.09 | |
| Median | $45,310 | $21.78 | |
| 75th | $61,150 | $29.40 | |
| 90th | $80,400 | $38.65 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Albany, NY | $48,980 |
| Syracuse, NY | $47,640 |
| New York, NY | $47,610 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $46,950 |
| Binghamton, NY | $46,600 |
| Buffalo, NY | $46,580 |
| Kingston, NY | $46,440 |
| Elmira, NY | $46,160 |
| Ithaca, NY | $46,090 |
| Utica, NY | $45,950 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $43,900 |
| Watertown, NY | $38,590 |
Related jobs in Rochester
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,080 |
| Bartender | $45,920 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,040 |
| Cook | $38,670 |
| Cook | $38,380 |
| Cook | $36,580 |
| Food Server | $35,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,310 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,020 |
| Dishwasher | $33,880 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Rochester?
The median hourly pay in the Rochester, NY metro area is $21.78 ($45,310 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Rochester than the national average?
Yes: $45,310 against $35,230 nationally, 29% more.
How does Rochester compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $47,020, so Rochester pays 4% less.
Where does Rochester rank for waiter and waitress pay?
41 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $80,400 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.