Waiter Salary in Washington, DC
Updated
The median waiter in the Washington area earns $46,040 a year ($22.13 an hour), 31% above the U.S. median ($35,230). Half of the 46,160 waiters there earn between $36,400 and $60,180.
Median $46,040
10th: $31,88090th: $81,060
| Annual pay | Washington area | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,880 | $18,100 |
| 25th percentile | $36,400 | $27,750 |
| Median | $46,040 | $35,230 |
| 75th percentile | $60,180 | $47,110 |
| 90th percentile | $81,060 | $64,720 |
| Average | $51,820 | $40,060 |
| Jobs | 46,160 | 2,270,910 |
Washington, DC ranks 6th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for waiter pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($57,280).
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Check my payWaiter pay in other cities
- Seattle, WA: $57,280
- Portland, OR: $54,780
- New York, NY: $47,610
- Phoenix, AZ: $47,530
- Buffalo, NY: $46,580
- Grand Rapids, MI: $42,930
- San Jose, CA: $41,920
- Denver, CO: $39,650
- All cities
Similar jobs in Washington, DC
- Fast Food Worker: $34,600
- Bartender: $48,030
- Restaurant Cook: $42,920
- Food Service Supervisor: $47,580
- Food Preparation Worker: $37,630
- All jobs in Washington, DC
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.