Waiters and Waitresses Salary in New York, NY-NJ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Median annual salary $45,010 +33.3% vs national
Median hourly $21.64
10th percentile $31,950
90th percentile $94,680
Employed locally 135,820
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how New York, NY-NJ stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Waiters and Waitresses
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,950
    25th
    $34,130
    50th (median)
    $45,010
    75th
    $62,590
    90th
    $94,680

    New York economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $97,334 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 46% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 54% 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 New York, NY-NJ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,420
    Cooks, Restaurant $41,980
    Food Preparation Workers $36,330
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $48,540
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $37,250
    Bartenders $59,030

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in New York?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in New York, NY-NJ is $21.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.97 or more per hour.

    Is New York above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in New York, NY-NJ is 33.3% 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 New York?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $31,950 per year in New York, NY-NJ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,130.