Waiter Salary in Buffalo, NY
Updated
The median waiter in the Buffalo area earns $46,580 a year ($22.39 an hour), 32% above the U.S. median ($35,230) and 1% below the New York State median ($47,020). Half of the 7,990 waiters there earn between $35,460 and $63,110.
Median $46,580
10th: $32,24090th: $86,590
| Annual pay | Buffalo area | New York State | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,240 | $33,540 | $18,100 |
| 25th percentile | $35,460 | $34,520 | $27,750 |
| Median | $46,580 | $47,020 | $35,230 |
| 75th percentile | $63,110 | $64,480 | $47,110 |
| 90th percentile | $86,590 | $83,210 | $64,720 |
| Average | $54,310 | $54,750 | $40,060 |
| Jobs | 7,990 | 142,940 | 2,270,910 |
Buffalo, NY ranks 5th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for waiter pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($57,280).
Paid less than $46,580? That gap, with its source, is the strongest line in a raise request. Check your pay for your level in 30 seconds. Free, no sign-up.
Check my payWaiter pay in other cities
- New York, NY: $47,610
- Seattle, WA: $57,280
- Portland, OR: $54,780
- Phoenix, AZ: $47,530
- Washington, DC: $46,040
- Grand Rapids, MI: $42,930
- San Jose, CA: $41,920
- Denver, CO: $39,650
- All cities
Similar jobs in Buffalo, NY
- Fast Food Worker: $34,560
- Bartender: $46,920
- Restaurant Cook: $38,060
- Food Service Supervisor: $44,720
- Food Preparation Worker: $34,700
- All jobs in Buffalo, NY
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.