Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Pennsylvania
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$18,400
- 25th Percentile — Junior$24,490
- 50th Percentile — Median$34,690
- 75th Percentile — Senior$46,790
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$61,780
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Pennsylvania earn more than $34,690. The top 10% make $61,780 or more, while entry-level workers start around $18,400.
Waiters and Waitresses in Pennsylvania: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Pennsylvania ranks 27th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $38,110 per year (4.9% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 82,300 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Pennsylvania — 3.6% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.93: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Pennsylvania than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $18,400; the top 10% earn over $61,780.
- Hourly equivalent: $18.32 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Pennsylvania, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($67,890).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Pennsylvania
Key factors affecting compensation
Pennsylvania's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Finance, and its job market is rated strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $38,110 on average, placing the state 27th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.99 (U.S. = 1.00), a Pennsylvania salary of $38,110 is roughly equivalent to $38,495 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nebraska ($39,590), Kansas ($39,170), Missouri ($38,620) 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 Pennsylvania
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $67,890/yr Pennsylvania +78.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $44,550/yr Pennsylvania +16.9% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $36,950/yr Pennsylvania 3.0% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,750/yr Pennsylvania 6.2% vs this role
- Bartenders $35,460/yr Pennsylvania 7.0% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $30,580/yr Pennsylvania 19.8% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,810/yr Pennsylvania 21.8% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,930/yr Pennsylvania 24.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Pennsylvania?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Pennsylvania is $38,110 per year (median $34,690), which is 4.9% below the national average of $40,060.
How does Pennsylvania rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Pennsylvania ranks 27th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Pennsylvania?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Pennsylvania earn about $18,400 per year and the 25th percentile is $24,490.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Pennsylvania?
About $18.32 per hour, based on the $38,110 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Pennsylvania?
BLS counts 82,300 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Pennsylvania (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data