How much does a waiter make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $2,937 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $2,537
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 0.7 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $100,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $53,830 |
| 2. Iceland estimate | $53,620 |
| 3. Belgium estimate | $48,430 |
| 7. Germany | $36,680 |
| 8. United States | $35,240 |
| 9. Ireland estimate | $32,420 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $293 |
Similar jobs
Service and sales workers
- Bartender$34,340
- Flight attendant$61,170
- Rail conductor$37,720
- Guide$48,580
- Cook$38,970
- Hairdresser$37,450
- Beautician$38,440
- Household manager$49,100
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| Hawaii | $60,950 |
| Vermont | $55,640 |
| Washington | $53,530 |
| District of Columbia | $46,870 |
| Oregon | $46,510 |
| New York | $46,180 |
| Colorado | $43,910 |
| Virginia | $43,690 |
| New Jersey | $43,510 |
| Arizona | $43,300 |
See all 51 states
| Maine | $43,050 |
| Massachusetts | $38,300 |
| New Hampshire | $38,170 |
| Connecticut | $37,430 |
| Michigan | $37,390 |
| New Mexico | $36,860 |
| Maryland | $36,740 |
| California | $36,440 |
| Delaware | $36,240 |
| Florida | $35,960 |
| Kansas | $35,690 |
| Ohio | $35,660 |
| Rhode Island | $35,370 |
| West Virginia | $35,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,490 |
| Nebraska | $33,270 |
| North Dakota | $32,320 |
| North Carolina | $32,070 |
| Illinois | $31,950 |
| Utah | $31,030 |
| Wisconsin | $30,450 |
| Idaho | $30,380 |
| Kentucky | $29,960 |
| Missouri | $29,770 |
| South Dakota | $29,050 |
| Indiana | $28,760 |
| Tennessee | $28,030 |
| Minnesota | $27,870 |
| Alaska | $27,500 |
| Alabama | $27,040 |
| Nevada | $26,800 |
| Arkansas | $25,160 |
| Wyoming | $24,510 |
| Montana | $24,480 |
| Texas | $23,650 |
| Iowa | $22,730 |
| Mississippi | $22,010 |
| Georgia | $19,480 |
| South Carolina | $19,170 |
| Oklahoma | $18,560 |
| Louisiana | $15,880 |
Jobs in this group in the United States
Official name of each one and its median salary a year.
| Waiter and Waitress | $35,230 |
| Food Server | $35,360 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $2,937 a month, $35,240 a year.
How much does a waiter make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $18,700 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $63,590.
Which country pays a waiter the most?
Germany, with a median of $36,680 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a waiter the most?
Hawaii, with a median of $60,950 a year.
Does a waiter make more in the United States or in Germany?
In Germany: $36,680 a year against $35,240 in the United States, 1.0 times more.
Who makes more, a waiter or a flight attendant?
A flight attendant: $61,170 a year against $35,240 for a waiter, 1.7 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate