Florida ranks 28th of 51 states and D.C. for waiters and waitresses pay, trailing top-paying Vermont ($60,910) by $31,330 — a 106% gap.
Waiters and Waitresses are more concentrated in Florida than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.42 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.42× the national share.
Florida employs roughly 9.1% of all waiters and waitresses in the country (208,920 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| 25th percentile | $26,480 | $12.73 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| 75th percentile | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Mean (average) | $39,040 | $18.77 |
How Florida Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (current) | $29,580 | n/a |
| Vermont | $60,910 | +106% |
| Hawaii | $48,570 | +64% |
| Washington | $47,490 | +61% |
| New York | $46,460 | +57% |
| District of Columbia | $45,770 | +55% |
| Maine | $44,550 | +51% |
| Rhode Island | $42,600 | +44% |
| New Hampshire | $39,270 | +33% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Florida
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwashers | $29,600 | 38,070 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $29,760 | 23,220 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $29,780 | 9,640 |
| Cashiers | $29,320 | 197,310 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,110 | 40,540 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,940 | 19,510 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Florida?
The mean waiters and waitresses salary in Florida is $39,040 per year. The median (middle) salary is $29,580 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Waiters and Waitresses in Florida?
Entry-level waiters and waitressess (10th percentile) in Florida typically earn around $24,960 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $26,480 per year.
What is the highest Waiters and Waitresses salary in Florida?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Florida make approximately $64,990 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $45,430 per year.
How does the Florida Waiters and Waitresses salary compare to the national average?
The median waiters and waitresses salary in Florida is $29,580, which is -12% below national average of $33,760.