Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Dayton, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH

Median annual salary $36,400 +7.8% vs national
Median hourly $17.50
10th percentile $22,940
90th percentile $59,280
Employed locally 4,550
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Dayton, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,940
    25th
    $27,830
    50th (median)
    $36,400
    75th
    $46,760
    90th
    $59,280

    Dayton economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,752 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 52% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 48% 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
    Columbus, OH $37,230
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $36,290
    Toledo, OH $36,230
    Ohio $36,030
    Akron, OH $35,990
    Cleveland, OH $35,710

    Related occupations in Dayton, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,140
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,490
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,220
    Bartenders $29,600
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $36,860
    Dishwashers $28,870

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Dayton, OH is $17.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.46 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Dayton, OH is 7.8% 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 Dayton?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $22,940 per year in Dayton, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,830.