Waiters and Waitresses Salary in New York
Waiters and Waitresses in New York earn a median annual wage of $47,020 —33.5% above the national median of $35,230. That ranks NY #6 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 (1.01×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. New York 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 York
Occupations in the same job family, compared within New York.
| Occupation | New York median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,250 | $31,200 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $43,680 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,190 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $35,610 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $61,210 | $34,340 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,770 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do waiters and waitresses make in New York?
The median annual wage for waiters and waitresses in New York is $47,020, or $22.61 per hour. That is 33.5% above the national median of $35,230.
What is the entry-level waiters and waitresses salary in New York?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $33,540 per year ($16.12/hour). The 25th percentile is $34,520.
How many people work as waiters and waitresses in New York?
About 142,940 people work in this occupation in New York, or 14.8 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is New York a good state for waiters and waitresses?
New York ranks #6 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.01x) 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).