Waiter Salary in Columbus, OH
Updated
The median waiter in the Columbus area earns $37,490 a year ($18.02 an hour), 6% above the U.S. median ($35,230) and 2% above the Ohio median ($36,700). Half of the 15,900 waiters there earn between $29,620 and $49,400.
Median $37,490
10th: $24,37090th: $63,250
| Annual pay | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $24,370 | $23,820 | $18,100 |
| 25th percentile | $29,620 | $28,990 | $27,750 |
| Median | $37,490 | $36,700 | $35,230 |
| 75th percentile | $49,400 | $48,170 | $47,110 |
| 90th percentile | $63,250 | $63,740 | $64,720 |
| Average | $43,070 | $42,190 | $40,060 |
| Jobs | 15,900 | 77,250 | 2,270,910 |
Columbus, OH ranks 14th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for waiter pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($57,280).
Paid less than $37,490? 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
- Cincinnati, OH: $36,530
- Cleveland, OH: $36,260
- Seattle, WA: $57,280
- Portland, OR: $54,780
- New York, NY: $47,610
- Phoenix, AZ: $47,530
- Buffalo, NY: $46,580
- Washington, DC: $46,040
- All cities
Similar jobs in Columbus, OH
- Fast Food Worker: $28,670
- Bartender: $37,000
- Restaurant Cook: $36,590
- Food Service Supervisor: $37,790
- Food Preparation Worker: $36,930
- All jobs in Columbus, OH
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.