Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Ithaca, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ithaca, NY

Median annual salary $46,610 +38.1% vs national
Median hourly $22.41
10th percentile $31,200
90th percentile $77,870
Employed locally 610
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Ithaca, NY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,200
    25th
    $32,370
    50th (median)
    $46,610
    75th
    $61,040
    90th
    $77,870

    Ithaca economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,012 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 64% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 36% 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
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $48,110
    Syracuse, NY $47,830
    Binghamton, NY $47,650
    Utica-Rome, NY $47,380
    Kingston, NY $46,860
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $46,820

    Related occupations in Ithaca, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,090
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $45,840
    Bartenders $49,940
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,870
    Food Preparation Workers $35,990
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $35,570

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Ithaca, NY is $22.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.55 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Ithaca, NY is 38.1% 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 Ithaca?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $31,200 per year in Ithaca, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $32,370.