Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Massachusetts
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$31,790
- 25th Percentile — Junior$35,290
- 50th Percentile — Median$38,460
- 75th Percentile — Senior$45,700
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$62,200
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Massachusetts earn more than $38,460. The top 10% make $62,200 or more, while entry-level workers start around $31,790.
Waiters and Waitresses in Massachusetts: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Massachusetts ranks 15th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $44,480 per year (11.0% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 54,670 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Massachusetts — 2.4% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.03: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in Massachusetts than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,790; the top 10% earn over $62,200.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.38 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Massachusetts, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($73,420).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Massachusetts
Key factors affecting compensation
Massachusetts's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $44,480 on average, placing the state 15th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.3 (U.S. = 1.00), a Massachusetts salary of $44,480 is roughly equivalent to $34,215 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Virginia ($46,680), Connecticut ($46,220), Michigan ($44,910) 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 Massachusetts
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $73,420/yr Massachusetts +65.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $52,600/yr Massachusetts +18.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $48,750/yr Massachusetts +9.6% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $45,450/yr Massachusetts +2.2% vs this role
- Bartenders $45,120/yr Massachusetts +1.4% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $40,080/yr Massachusetts 9.9% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $39,220/yr Massachusetts 11.8% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,880/yr Massachusetts 19.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Massachusetts?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Massachusetts is $44,480 per year (median $38,460), which is 11.0% above the national average of $40,060.
How does Massachusetts rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Massachusetts ranks 15th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Massachusetts?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Massachusetts earn about $31,790 per year and the 25th percentile is $35,290.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Massachusetts?
About $21.38 per hour, based on the $44,480 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Massachusetts?
BLS counts 54,670 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Massachusetts (OEWS May 2025).
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