Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Ohio
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$23,820
- 25th Percentile — Junior$28,990
- 50th Percentile — Median$36,700
- 75th Percentile — Senior$48,170
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$63,740
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Ohio earn more than $36,700. The top 10% make $63,740 or more, while entry-level workers start around $23,820.
Waiters and Waitresses in Ohio: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Ohio ranks 21st of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $42,190 per year (5.3% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 77,250 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Ohio — 3.4% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.95: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Ohio than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $23,820; the top 10% earn over $63,740.
- Hourly equivalent: $20.28 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Ohio, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($61,220).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Ohio
Key factors affecting compensation
Ohio's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail, and its job market is rated moderate. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $42,190 on average, placing the state 21st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Ohio salary of $42,190 is roughly equivalent to $47,943 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Hampshire ($43,380), New Mexico ($43,210), Delaware ($43,070) 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 Ohio
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $61,220/yr Ohio +45.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $41,680/yr Ohio 1.2% vs this role
- Bartenders $39,420/yr Ohio 6.6% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,160/yr Ohio 11.9% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,280/yr Ohio 16.4% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $31,340/yr Ohio 25.7% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,900/yr Ohio 31.5% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $27,860/yr Ohio 34.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Ohio?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Ohio is $42,190 per year (median $36,700), which is 5.3% above the national average of $40,060.
How does Ohio rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Ohio ranks 21st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Ohio?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Ohio earn about $23,820 per year and the 25th percentile is $28,990.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Ohio?
About $20.28 per hour, based on the $42,190 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Ohio?
BLS counts 77,250 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Ohio (OEWS May 2025).
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