What Waiters and Waitresses do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Waiters and Waitresses this way: "Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages"; "Collect payments from customers"; "Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff"; "Take orders from patrons for food or beverages"; "Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Waiters and Waitresses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 2,284,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 2,330,900 in 2035, an increase of 46,500 jobs (+2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 423,100 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 18.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $35,230, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Waiters and Waitresses earn the most
Across the 36 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $15,552 in Louisiana to $54,839 in Washington, a gap of $39,287 (3.53 times). 18 of those 36 states average above the BLS national median of $35,230 and 18 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 228,790, which is 8.2% of the 2,801,920 counted across them. Florida follows with 205,520.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($54,839), Oregon ($50,502) and New York ($47,178) lead the ranking, while Louisiana ($15,552) and Oklahoma ($18,179) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Waiters and Waitresses: pay against the cost of living
We compare 72 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Clark County, WA (Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA) at $19,498. The weakest market is Los Angeles County, CA, where the basics cost $7,947 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 51 of the 72 markets and falls short in 21. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 33.4% and 97.3% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Waiters and Waitresses
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (35-3000) include Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, Bartenders and Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Waiters and Waitresses
What is the national median wage for Waiters and Waitresses?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $35,230. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $15,552 to $54,839.
Which state pays Waiters and Waitresses the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $54,839. Oregon is next at $50,502.
What is the job outlook for Waiters and Waitresses?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 423,100 openings a year.
What education do Waiters and Waitresses need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Waiters and Waitresses afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Clark County, WA leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $19,498 on a median wage of $54,780.