Washington ranks 3rd of 51 states and D.C. for waiters and waitresses pay, trailing top-paying Vermont ($60,910) by $13,420 — a 28% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $34,910 to $91,730 — a $56,820 spread, 29% wider than the national $44,010 range.
Washington employs roughly 1.9% of all waiters and waitresses in the country (43,720 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $34,910 | $16.78 |
| 25th percentile | $41,940 | $20.16 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| 75th percentile | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,730 | $44.10 |
| Mean (average) | $55,520 | $26.69 |
How Washington Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (current) | $47,490 | n/a |
| Vermont | $60,910 | +28% |
| Hawaii | $48,570 | +2% |
| New York | $46,460 | -2% |
| District of Columbia | $45,770 | -4% |
| Maine | $44,550 | -6% |
| Rhode Island | $42,600 | -10% |
| New Hampshire | $39,270 | -17% |
| New Jersey | $38,720 | -18% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Washington
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,550 | 2,080 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $47,420 | 16,010 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,570 | 650 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,340 | 11,180 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,640 | 1,680 |
| Phlebotomists | $47,700 | 2,380 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Washington?
The mean waiters and waitresses salary in Washington is $55,520 per year. The median (middle) salary is $47,490 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Waiters and Waitresses in Washington?
Entry-level waiters and waitressess (10th percentile) in Washington typically earn around $34,910 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $41,940 per year.
What is the highest Waiters and Waitresses salary in Washington?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Washington make approximately $91,730 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $61,420 per year.
How does the Washington Waiters and Waitresses salary compare to the national average?
The median waiters and waitresses salary in Washington is $47,490, which is +41% above national average of $33,760.