Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$28,270
- 25th Percentile — Junior$32,760
- 50th Percentile — Median$44,760
- 75th Percentile — Senior$56,430
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$74,130
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Virginia earn more than $44,760. The top 10% make $74,130 or more, while entry-level workers start around $28,270.
Waiters and Waitresses in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 11th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $46,680 per year (16.5% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 59,370 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Virginia — 2.6% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.99: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,270; the top 10% earn over $74,130.
- Hourly equivalent: $22.44 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Virginia, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($65,320).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $46,680 on average, placing the state 11th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $46,680 is roughly equivalent to $42,436 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maine ($51,260), Colorado ($51,240), Arizona ($51,170) 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $65,320/yr Virginia +39.9% vs this role
- Bartenders $54,200/yr Virginia +16.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,810/yr Virginia +0.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $39,500/yr Virginia 15.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $38,180/yr Virginia 18.2% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $34,850/yr Virginia 25.3% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $31,980/yr Virginia 31.5% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $31,930/yr Virginia 31.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Virginia?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Virginia is $46,680 per year (median $44,760), which is 16.5% above the national average of $40,060.
How does Virginia rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Virginia ranks 11th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Virginia earn about $28,270 per year and the 25th percentile is $32,760.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Virginia?
About $22.44 per hour, based on the $46,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Virginia?
BLS counts 59,370 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data