Massachusetts ranks 13th of 51 states and D.C. for waiters and waitresses pay, trailing top-paying Vermont ($60,910) by $24,520 — a 67% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $31,400 to $70,560 — a $39,160 spread, 11% tighter than the national $44,010 range.
Massachusetts employs roughly 2.2% of all waiters and waitresses in the country (50,160 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $31,400 | $15.10 |
| 25th percentile | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| 75th percentile | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,560 | $33.92 |
| Mean (average) | $44,550 | $21.42 |
How Massachusetts Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (current) | $36,390 | n/a |
| Vermont | $60,910 | +67% |
| Hawaii | $48,570 | +33% |
| Washington | $47,490 | +31% |
| New York | $46,460 | +28% |
| District of Columbia | $45,770 | +26% |
| Maine | $44,550 | +22% |
| Rhode Island | $42,600 | +17% |
| New Hampshire | $39,270 | +8% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Massachusetts
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Food Batchmakers | $36,460 | 5,660 |
| Retail Salespersons | $36,320 | 86,410 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,310 | 3,680 |
| Telemarketers | $36,530 | 460 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,540 | 6,120 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,560 | 1,830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Massachusetts?
The mean waiters and waitresses salary in Massachusetts is $44,550 per year. The median (middle) salary is $36,390 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Waiters and Waitresses in Massachusetts?
Entry-level waiters and waitressess (10th percentile) in Massachusetts typically earn around $31,400 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $34,230 per year.
What is the highest Waiters and Waitresses salary in Massachusetts?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Massachusetts make approximately $70,560 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $48,590 per year.
How does the Massachusetts Waiters and Waitresses salary compare to the national average?
The median waiters and waitresses salary in Massachusetts is $36,390, which is +8% above national average of $33,760.