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Occupation · SOC 35-3031

Waiters and Waitresses

There are 2,270,910 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $35,230 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Food ServiceTypical education: No formal educational credential
2,270,910
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$35,230
Median pay a year
Middle half: $27,750–$47,110
423,100
Annual openings
10-year change: +2%
No formal educational credential
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 392 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $47,610 · LCA filings 0138,720$47,6100
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $35,850 · LCA filings 085,210$35,8500
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $36,070 · LCA filings 057,830$36,0700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $31,200 · LCA filings 054,100$31,2000
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $24,160 · LCA filings 053,460$24,1600
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $22,080 · LCA filings 051,330$22,0800
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $46,040 · LCA filings 046,160$46,0400
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $18,460 · LCA filings 045,880$18,4600
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $36,570 · LCA filings 041,900$36,5700
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $39,270 · LCA filings 041,570$39,2700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 2,700 · LCA filings 0$82,5502,7000
Burlington–South Burlington, VTEmployment 1,510 · LCA filings 0$61,6201,5100
Urban Honolulu, HIEmployment 8,550 · LCA filings 0$60,2508,5500
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 26,530 · LCA filings 0$57,28026,5300
Walla Walla, WAEmployment 340 · LCA filings 0$56,7303400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $44,574 · Level III $54,912 · Level IV $65,229$34,258$44,574$54,912$65,229
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $38,646 · Level III $42,619 · Level IV $46,571$34,694$38,646$42,619$46,571
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $34,362 · Level III $41,059 · Level IV $47,757$27,664$34,362$41,059$47,757
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $32,906 · Level III $35,630 · Level IV $38,334$30,202$32,906$35,630$38,334
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $24,315 · Level III $30,472 · Level IV $36,629$18,158$24,315$30,472$36,629
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $23,296 · Level III $29,120 · Level IV $34,923$17,493$23,296$29,120$34,923
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $42,806 · Level III $51,730 · Level IV $60,632$33,904$42,806$51,730$60,632
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $20,987 · Level III $26,811 · Level IV $32,635$15,163$20,987$26,811$32,635
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $33,301 · Level III $41,309 · Level IV $49,317$25,293$33,301$41,309$49,317
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $39,437 · Level III $45,282 · Level IV $51,126$33,592$39,437$45,282$51,126

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Related occupations · Food Service

Fast Food and Counter WorkersCooks, RestaurantFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersFood Preparation WorkersBartendersHosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopDining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersCooks, Fast Food

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology