Waiters and Waitresses pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $31,880 a year or less, while the top 10% make $81,060 or more. The middle half of waiters and waitresses in Washington earn between $36,400 and $60,180.
- $32K10th
- $36K25th
- $46KMedian
- $60K75th
- $81K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $51,820 | $4,318 | $24.91 |
| Median | $46,040 | $3,837 | $22.13 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $36,400 | $3,033 | $17.50 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $60,180 | $5,015 | $28.93 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Waiters and waitresses in Washington earn 13% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($59,510) and 29% more than the U.S. average ($40,060). At the median the gap is +31% against the U.S. median of $35,230.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $51,820 | $46,040 | $31,880 | $81,060 | 46,160 |
| Washington, D.C. | $59,510 | $47,850 | $36,400 | $100,240 | 11,530 |
| United States | $40,060 | $35,230 | $18,100 | $64,720 | 2,270,910 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Waiters and Waitresses salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $51,820, a single filer in Washington takes home about $41,874 a year, or $3,490 a month and $1,611 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $42,296 | $3,525 |
| Working in DC | $41,874 | $3,490 |
| Working in VA | $41,652 | $3,471 |
| Working in MD | $41,568 | $3,464 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for waiters and waitresses? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $51,820 buys what about $47,592 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 11.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$40,750
- Baltimore, MD$43,030
- Winchester, VA$43,020
- Lexington Park, MD$42,150
- Gettysburg, PA$35,360
- Chambersburg, PA$34,900
Highest-paying cities for waiters and waitresses
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($87,210).
- Kahului, HI$87,210
- Seattle, WA$62,940
- Honolulu, HI$61,880
- Bremerton, WA$61,770
- Burlington, VT$61,070
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Waiters and Waitresses salary in Washington: questions
How much do waiters and waitresses make an hour in Washington?
$24.91 an hour on average, and $22.14 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level waiters and waitresses salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $31,880 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,400, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the waiters and waitresses take-home pay in Washington?
About $41,874 a year ($3,490 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $51,820.
Do waiters and waitresses earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 29% more than the U.S. average for this job ($40,060).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-3031; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.01, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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