📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Waiters and Waitresses Salary in New York (2026)

New York · 38.0% above national average · Very High Demand

Average
$48,686
per year
Median
$43,166
per year
Hourly
$23.41
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$34,334
25th Percentile — Junior$43,166
50th Percentile — Median$43,166
75th Percentile — Senior$63,038
90th Percentile — Top Earners$70,183
💡 Top-earning Waiters and Waitressess in New York make up to $70,183 per year. The job market in New York is rated very strong, with key industries including Finance, Technology, Media.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$42.0k
2021
$43.3k
2022
$44.6k
2023
$45.9k
2024
$47.3k
2025
$48.7k
2026
📈 Waiters and Waitresses salaries in New York have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in New York's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Waiters and Waitresses Salary by City in New York
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
New York City $80,332 +65.0% Very High
Buffalo $44,791 -8.0% Very High
Yonkers $67,187 +38.0% Very High
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Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in New York
Key factors affecting compensation

New York is home to a very strong job market for Waiters and Waitressess. The state's key industries — Finance, Technology, Media — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $48,686 per year, New York's Waiters and Waitresses salaries are 38.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in New York (index: 1.38) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in New York can expect to earn $34,334–$43,166, while experienced Waiters and Waitressess can command $63,038–$70,183.

Looking ahead, the Waiters and Waitresses profession in New York is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in New York is $48,686 per year in 2026, which is 38.0% above the national average of $35,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Waiters and Waitressess the highest wages in New York due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • New York has a very strong job market with major industries in Finance, Technology, Media. This makes it one of the better states for Waiters and Waitresses employment.
  • At $48,686/year, New York Waiters and Waitresses salaries are 38.0% higher than the national average of $35,280/year.