Waiters and Waitresses salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Waiters and Waitresses in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $48,980 a year ($23.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,500 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 4% higher than the New York statewide median of $47,020. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $34,640 | $16.66 |
| Median | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| 75th percentile | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Average (mean) | $54,580 | $26.24 |
Half of waiters and waitresses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,081.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,040.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,883.85 |
| Weekly | $941.92 |
| Hourly | $23.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Syracuse, NY | $47,640 | 3,430 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $47,610 | 138,720 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $46,950 | 3,930 |
| Binghamton, NY | $46,600 | 1,390 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $46,580 | 7,990 |
| Kingston, NY | $46,440 | 1,280 |
| Elmira, NY | $46,160 | 480 |
| Ithaca, NY | $46,090 | 620 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $45,950 | 1,790 |
| Rochester, NY | $45,310 | 6,070 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $43,900 | 990 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $38,590 | 710 |
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 |
| Vermont | $59,140 |
| Washington | $56,130 |
| Oregon | $48,410 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 |
| Colorado | $44,860 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Arizona | $43,950 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| Bartender | $47,370 | $22.78 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| Dishwasher | $34,580 | $16.63 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $34,520 | $16.59 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,550 | $20.94 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $84,430 | $40.59 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiters and waitresses make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $48,980 a year, or $23.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $80,500 a year. The top 25% earn $63,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $34,640 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 6,310 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.