Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Portland, ME

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-South Portland, ME

Median annual salary $45,010 +33.3% vs national
Median hourly $21.64
10th percentile $30,050
90th percentile $102,340
Employed locally 4,780
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Portland, ME
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,050
    25th
    $33,390
    50th (median)
    $45,010
    75th
    $66,780
    90th
    $102,340

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 51% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 49% 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
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $48,480
    Utica-Rome, NY $47,380
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $47,080
    Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $46,320

    Related occupations in Portland, ME

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$35,150
    Cooks, Restaurant$46,960
    Food Preparation Workers$36,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$49,730
    Bartenders$51,180
    Dishwashers$35,360

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Portland, ME is $21.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.21 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Portland, ME 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $30,050 per year in Portland, ME. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,390.