Waiter Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Updated
The median waiter in the Philadelphia area earns $36,570 a year ($17.58 an hour), 4% above the U.S. median ($35,230) and 5% above the Pennsylvania median ($34,690). Half of the 41,900 waiters there earn between $29,440 and $47,850.
Median $36,570
10th: $21,90090th: $65,340
| Annual pay | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21,900 | $18,400 | $18,100 |
| 25th percentile | $29,440 | $24,490 | $27,750 |
| Median | $36,570 | $34,690 | $35,230 |
| 75th percentile | $47,850 | $46,790 | $47,110 |
| 90th percentile | $65,340 | $61,780 | $64,720 |
| Average | $41,390 | $38,110 | $40,060 |
| Jobs | 41,900 | 82,300 | 2,270,910 |
Philadelphia, PA ranks 19th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for waiter pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($57,280).
Paid less than $36,570? 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
- Pittsburgh, PA: $35,470
- 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
- Grand Rapids, MI: $42,930
- All cities
Similar jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Fast Food Worker: $32,220
- Bartender: $36,040
- Restaurant Cook: $38,270
- Food Service Supervisor: $46,580
- Food Preparation Worker: $34,560
- All jobs in Philadelphia, PA
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.