Waiters and Waitresses Salary in New Jersey
Waiters and Waitresses in New Jersey earn a median annual wage of $44,960 —27.6% above the national median of $35,230. That ranks NJ #7 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.89×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. New Jersey is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $62,390 | $29.99 | 14,090 | 1.54 |
| 2 | Vermont | $59,140 | $28.43 | 4,040 | 0.91 |
| 3 | Washington | $56,130 | $26.98 | 45,400 | 0.88 |
| 4 | Oregon | $48,410 | $23.27 | 23,040 | 0.80 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $47,850 | $23.01 | 11,530 | 1.12 |
| 6 | New York | $47,020 | $22.61 | 142,940 | 1.01 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $44,960 | $21.62 | 55,800 | 0.89 |
| 8 | Colorado | $44,860 | $21.57 | 40,680 | 0.97 |
| 9 | Virginia | $44,760 | $21.52 | 59,370 | 0.99 |
| 10 | Arizona | $43,950 | $21.13 | 55,950 | 1.18 |
Related occupations in New Jersey
Occupations in the same job family, compared within New Jersey.
| Occupation | New Jersey median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,150 | $31,200 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,460 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,420 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $35,540 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $44,020 | $34,340 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,220 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do waiters and waitresses make in New Jersey?
The median annual wage for waiters and waitresses in New Jersey is $44,960, or $21.62 per hour. That is 27.6% above the national median of $35,230.
What is the entry-level waiters and waitresses salary in New Jersey?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $32,220 per year ($15.49/hour). The 25th percentile is $35,710.
How many people work as waiters and waitresses in New Jersey?
About 55,800 people work in this occupation in New Jersey, or 13.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is New Jersey a good state for waiters and waitresses?
New Jersey ranks #7 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.89x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays waiters and waitresses the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage at $62,390 per year, followed by Vermont ($59,140) and Washington ($56,130).