Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,400
- 25th Percentile — Junior$36,400
- 50th Percentile — Median$47,850
- 75th Percentile — Senior$78,520
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$100,240
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in District of Columbia earn more than $47,850. The top 10% make $100,240 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,400.
Waiters and Waitresses in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 3rd of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $59,510 per year (48.6% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 11,530 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in District of Columbia — 0.5% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.12: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,400; the top 10% earn over $100,240.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.61 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in District of Columbia, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($79,660).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $59,510 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $59,510 is roughly equivalent to $39,151 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($68,260), Washington ($60,590), Vermont ($58,850) are the closest alternatives for Waiters and Waitresses weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $79,660/yr District of Columbia +33.9% vs this role
- Bartenders $59,210/yr District of Columbia 0.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $57,770/yr District of Columbia 2.9% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $45,850/yr District of Columbia 23.0% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $45,570/yr District of Columbia 23.4% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $45,560/yr District of Columbia 23.4% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $43,710/yr District of Columbia 26.6% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $39,840/yr District of Columbia 33.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in District of Columbia?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in District of Columbia is $59,510 per year (median $47,850), which is 48.6% above the national average of $40,060.
How does District of Columbia rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in District of Columbia earn about $36,400 per year and the 25th percentile is $36,400.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $28.61 per hour, based on the $59,510 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 11,530 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data