Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Charleston, WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston, WV

Median annual salary $36,310 +7.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.46
10th percentile $20,210
90th percentile $57,730
Employed locally 1,250
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Charleston, WV
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,210
    25th
    $21,240
    50th (median)
    $36,310
    75th
    $46,380
    90th
    $57,730

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $58,089 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 63% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 37% 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
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $38,440
    Winchester, VA-WV $34,380
    Parkersburg-Vienna, WV $31,300
    Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH $31,260
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $31,200
    Morgantown, WV $30,060

    Related occupations in Charleston, WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $22,950
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $29,550
    Cooks, Restaurant $28,820
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $23,490
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $28,600
    Food Preparation Workers $27,540

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Charleston, WV is $17.46, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.14 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Charleston, WV is 7.6% above 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 Charleston?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $20,210 per year in Charleston, WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,240.