Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in New Jersey
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$32,220
- 25th Percentile — Junior$35,710
- 50th Percentile — Median$44,960
- 75th Percentile — Senior$56,410
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,510
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in New Jersey earn more than $44,960. The top 10% make $78,510 or more, while entry-level workers start around $32,220.
Waiters and Waitresses in New Jersey: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New Jersey ranks 10th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $50,260 per year (25.5% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 55,800 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in New Jersey — 2.5% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.89: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in New Jersey than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $32,220; the top 10% earn over $78,510.
- Hourly equivalent: $24.16 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in New Jersey, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($72,930).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in New Jersey
Key factors affecting compensation
New Jersey's key industries are Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $50,260 on average, placing the state 10th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.28 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Jersey salary of $50,260 is roughly equivalent to $39,266 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Oregon ($52,400), Maine ($51,260), Colorado ($51,240) 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 New Jersey
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $72,930/yr New Jersey +45.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $52,400/yr New Jersey +4.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $51,440/yr New Jersey +2.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $44,110/yr New Jersey 12.2% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $40,770/yr New Jersey 18.9% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $37,340/yr New Jersey 25.7% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $35,240/yr New Jersey 29.9% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,110/yr New Jersey 30.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in New Jersey?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in New Jersey is $50,260 per year (median $44,960), which is 25.5% above the national average of $40,060.
How does New Jersey rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
New Jersey ranks 10th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in New Jersey?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in New Jersey earn about $32,220 per year and the 25th percentile is $35,710.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in New Jersey?
About $24.16 per hour, based on the $50,260 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in New Jersey?
BLS counts 55,800 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in New Jersey (OEWS May 2025).
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