Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in New York
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$33,540
- 25th Percentile — Junior$34,520
- 50th Percentile — Median$47,020
- 75th Percentile — Senior$64,480
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$83,210
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in New York earn more than $47,020. The top 10% make $83,210 or more, while entry-level workers start around $33,540.
Waiters and Waitresses in New York: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New York ranks 5th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $54,750 per year (36.7% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 142,940 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in New York — 6.3% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.01: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in New York than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,540; the top 10% earn over $83,210.
- Hourly equivalent: $26.32 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in New York, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($74,840).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in New York
Key factors affecting compensation
New York's key industries are Finance, Technology, Media, and its job market is rated very strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $54,750 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.38 (U.S. = 1.00), a New York salary of $54,750 is roughly equivalent to $39,674 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($68,260), Washington ($60,590), District of Columbia ($59,510) 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 York
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $74,840/yr New York +36.7% vs this role
- Bartenders $61,670/yr New York +12.6% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $50,590/yr New York 7.6% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $46,850/yr New York 14.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $43,150/yr New York 21.2% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $42,480/yr New York 22.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $36,920/yr New York 32.6% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $36,800/yr New York 32.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in New York?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in New York is $54,750 per year (median $47,020), which is 36.7% above the national average of $40,060.
How does New York rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
New York ranks 5th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in New York?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in New York earn about $33,540 per year and the 25th percentile is $34,520.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in New York?
About $26.32 per hour, based on the $54,750 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in New York?
BLS counts 142,940 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in New York (OEWS May 2025).
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