Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Allentown, PA-NJ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Median annual salary $31,470 -6.8% vs national
Median hourly $15.13
10th percentile $18,650
90th percentile $59,990
Employed locally 5,290
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,650
    25th
    $23,350
    50th (median)
    $31,470
    75th
    $45,400
    90th
    $59,990

    Allentown economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 38% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 62% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $37,090
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $35,900
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $34,540
    Lexington Park, MD $34,460
    Grants Pass, OR $32,670
    Parkersburg-Vienna, WV $31,300

    Related occupations in Allentown, PA-NJ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,230
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,750
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $40,630
    Bartenders $30,630
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $38,410
    Food Preparation Workers $31,470

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Allentown?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Allentown, PA-NJ is $15.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.63 or more per hour.

    Is Allentown above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Allentown, PA-NJ is 6.8% below the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Allentown?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $18,650 per year in Allentown, PA-NJ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,350.