Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Rhode Island
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$31,200
- 25th Percentile — Junior$31,200
- 50th Percentile — Median$35,420
- 75th Percentile — Senior$50,840
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$62,680
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Rhode Island earn more than $35,420. The top 10% make $62,680 or more, while entry-level workers start around $31,200.
Waiters and Waitresses in Rhode Island: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Rhode Island ranks 20th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $42,740 per year (6.7% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 10,160 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Rhode Island — 0.4% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.39: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in Rhode Island than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,200; the top 10% earn over $62,680.
- Hourly equivalent: $20.55 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Rhode Island, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($84,860).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Rhode Island
Key factors affecting compensation
Rhode Island's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated moderate. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $42,740 on average, placing the state 20th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.15 (U.S. = 1.00), a Rhode Island salary of $42,740 is roughly equivalent to $37,165 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($43,950), New Hampshire ($43,380), New Mexico ($43,210) 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 Rhode Island
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $84,860/yr Rhode Island +98.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $53,800/yr Rhode Island +25.9% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $46,620/yr Rhode Island +9.1% vs this role
- Bartenders $46,090/yr Rhode Island +7.8% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $40,290/yr Rhode Island 5.7% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $35,170/yr Rhode Island 17.7% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,040/yr Rhode Island 20.4% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $33,960/yr Rhode Island 20.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Rhode Island?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Rhode Island is $42,740 per year (median $35,420), which is 6.7% above the national average of $40,060.
How does Rhode Island rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Rhode Island ranks 20th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Rhode Island?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Rhode Island earn about $31,200 per year and the 25th percentile is $31,200.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Rhode Island?
About $20.55 per hour, based on the $42,740 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Rhode Island?
BLS counts 10,160 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Rhode Island (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data