Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,710
- 25th Percentile — Junior$45,910
- 50th Percentile — Median$56,130
- 75th Percentile — Senior$73,840
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$94,930
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Washington earn more than $56,130. The top 10% make $94,930 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,710.
Waiters and Waitresses in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $60,590 per year (51.2% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 45,400 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Washington — 2.0% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.88: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,710; the top 10% earn over $94,930.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.13 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Washington, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($74,670).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $60,590 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $60,590 is roughly equivalent to $48,472 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($68,260), District of Columbia ($59,510), Vermont ($58,850) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $74,670/yr Washington +23.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $61,990/yr Washington +2.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $60,010/yr Washington 1.0% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $51,290/yr Washington 15.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $47,200/yr Washington 22.1% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $45,430/yr Washington 25.0% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $41,420/yr Washington 31.6% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $40,390/yr Washington 33.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Washington?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Washington is $60,590 per year (median $56,130), which is 51.2% above the national average of $40,060.
How does Washington rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Washington ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Washington earn about $36,710 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,910.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Washington?
About $29.13 per hour, based on the $60,590 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Washington?
BLS counts 45,400 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data