Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Hawaii
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$29,120
- 25th Percentile — Junior$30,090
- 50th Percentile — Median$62,390
- 75th Percentile — Senior$96,010
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$119,870
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Hawaii earn more than $62,390. The top 10% make $119,870 or more, while entry-level workers start around $29,120.
Waiters and Waitresses in Hawaii: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Hawaii ranks 1st of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $68,260 per year (70.4% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 14,090 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Hawaii — 0.6% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.54: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in Hawaii than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,120; the top 10% earn over $119,870.
- Hourly equivalent: $32.82 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among hospitality jobs in Hawaii, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($80,720).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Hawaii
Key factors affecting compensation
Hawaii's key industries are Tourism, Military, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $68,260 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.55 (U.S. = 1.00), a Hawaii salary of $68,260 is roughly equivalent to $44,039 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($60,590), District of Columbia ($59,510), 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 Hawaii
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $80,720/yr Hawaii +18.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $76,740/yr Hawaii +12.4% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $54,400/yr Hawaii 20.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $52,100/yr Hawaii 23.7% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $51,160/yr Hawaii 25.1% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $47,080/yr Hawaii 31.0% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $41,670/yr Hawaii 39.0% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,810/yr Hawaii 47.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Hawaii?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Hawaii is $68,260 per year (median $62,390), which is 70.4% above the national average of $40,060.
How does Hawaii rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Hawaii ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Hawaii?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Hawaii earn about $29,120 per year and the 25th percentile is $30,090.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Hawaii?
About $32.82 per hour, based on the $68,260 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Hawaii?
BLS counts 14,090 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Hawaii (OEWS May 2025).
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