Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Florida
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$27,230
- 25th Percentile — Junior$28,550
- 50th Percentile — Median$36,150
- 75th Percentile — Senior$47,590
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$63,580
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Florida earn more than $36,150. The top 10% make $63,580 or more, while entry-level workers start around $27,230.
Waiters and Waitresses in Florida: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Florida ranks 22nd of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $41,840 per year (4.4% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 207,180 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Florida — 9.1% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.43: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in Florida than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,230; the top 10% earn over $63,580.
- Hourly equivalent: $20.12 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Florida, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($61,720).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Florida
Key factors affecting compensation
Florida's key industries are Tourism, Healthcare, Real Estate, and its job market is rated strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $41,840 on average, placing the state 22nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.98 (U.S. = 1.00), a Florida salary of $41,840 is roughly equivalent to $42,694 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($43,210), Delaware ($43,070), Rhode Island ($42,740) 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 Florida
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $61,720/yr Florida +47.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,600/yr Florida +11.4% vs this role
- Bartenders $42,280/yr Florida +1.1% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $38,320/yr Florida 8.4% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $38,170/yr Florida 8.8% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $35,130/yr Florida 16.0% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $32,230/yr Florida 23.0% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,940/yr Florida 26.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Florida?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Florida is $41,840 per year (median $36,150), which is 4.4% above the national average of $40,060.
How does Florida rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Florida ranks 22nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Florida?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Florida earn about $27,230 per year and the 25th percentile is $28,550.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Florida?
About $20.12 per hour, based on the $41,840 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Florida?
BLS counts 207,180 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Florida (OEWS May 2025).
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