Waiters and Waitresses Salary in State College, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • State College, PA

Median annual salary $29,390 -12.9% vs national
Median hourly $14.13
10th percentile $17,540
90th percentile $59,060
Employed locally 1,300
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
State College, PA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $17,540
    25th
    $22,210
    50th (median)
    $29,390
    75th
    $43,170
    90th
    $59,060

    State College economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,748 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 40% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 60% 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
    Napa, CA $37,090
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $35,900
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $34,540
    Lexington Park, MD $34,460
    Grants Pass, OR $32,670
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $31,470

    Related occupations in State College, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,540
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,430
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,390
    Bartenders $27,470
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $28,340
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $37,450

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in State College?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in State College, PA is $14.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.73 or more per hour.

    Is State College above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in State College, PA is 12.9% below 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 State College?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $17,540 per year in State College, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,210.