Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Cleveland, OH
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cleveland, OH
Median annual salary
$35,710
+5.8% vs national
Median hourly
$17.17
10th percentile
$23,340
90th percentile
$60,510
Employed locally
14,410
National median
$33,760
Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Cleveland, OH stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Waiters and Waitresses
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Cleveland, OH
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Salary percentile breakdown
Cleveland economic context
Unemployment rate
3.80%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$68,507
2023 • Census ACS
Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income
52%
Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 48% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Cleveland?
The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Cleveland, OH is $17.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.83 or more per hour.
Is Cleveland above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?
The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Cleveland, OH is 5.8% 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 Cleveland?
Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $23,340 per year in Cleveland, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,030.