Waiter Salary in Raleigh, NC
Updated
The median waiter in the Raleigh area earns $34,860 a year ($16.76 an hour), 1% below the U.S. median ($35,230) and 8% above the North Carolina median ($32,150). Half of the 10,290 waiters there earn between $22,090 and $48,990.
Median $34,860
10th: $17,85090th: $64,240
| Annual pay | Raleigh area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17,850 | $17,140 | $18,100 |
| 25th percentile | $22,090 | $20,800 | $27,750 |
| Median | $34,860 | $32,150 | $35,230 |
| 75th percentile | $48,990 | $48,550 | $47,110 |
| 90th percentile | $64,240 | $62,670 | $64,720 |
| Average | $39,430 | $37,850 | $40,060 |
| Jobs | 10,290 | 71,940 | 2,270,910 |
Raleigh, NC ranks 32nd of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for waiter pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($57,280).
Paid less than $34,860? 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
- Charlotte, NC: $36,430
- 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 Raleigh, NC
- Fast Food Worker: $29,080
- Bartender: $36,120
- Restaurant Cook: $36,280
- Food Service Supervisor: $46,020
- Food Preparation Worker: $29,470
- All jobs in Raleigh, NC
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.