Waiters and Waitresses salary in District of Columbia
Waiters and Waitresses in District of Columbia earn a median of $47,850 a year ($23.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,240 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $35,230. District of Columbia ranks 5th of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 16 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| 25th percentile | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Median | $47,850 | $23.01 |
| 75th percentile | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,240 | $48.19 |
| Average (mean) | $59,510 | $28.61 |
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 | $3,987.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,993.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,840.38 |
| Weekly | $920.19 |
| Hourly | $23.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,040 | 46,160 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Bartender | $53,920 | $25.92 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,600 | $19.04 |
| Dishwasher | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $37,570 | $18.06 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $38,580 | $18.55 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in District of Columbia is $47,850 a year, or $23.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in District of Columbia earn at least $100,240 a year. The top 25% earn $78,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,400 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $36,400 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in District of Columbia?
About 11,530 waiters and waitresses are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.