Salary data · Bespree
Waiters and Waitresses Salary in New York City
Waiters and Waitresses workers in the New York City area earn a median of $21.64/hr — based on BLS OEWS May 2024.
At median pay, that's roughly $866/week or $3,748/month (40-hour week, before taxes).
Last updated: February 2026
Hourly wage ranges
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th) | $15.36 | $31,949 |
| 25th percentile | $16.41 | $34,133 |
| Median (50th) | $21.64 | $45,011 |
| 75th percentile | $30.09 | $62,587 |
| Top earners (90th) | $45.52 | $94,682 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 · Annual estimate = hourly × 2,080 hrs · Actual annual income varies by hours worked and schedule. Retrieved February 2026.
How New York City compares
Waiters and Waitresses pay by metro
| Metro | Median/hr |
|---|---|
| New York Citythis page | $21.64 |
| trenton | $17.96 |
| bridgeport | $17.74 |
| new-haven | $17.66 |
| Philadelphia | $17.26 |
| Los Angeles | $16.86 |
| Miami | $14.19 |
| Chicago | $14.00 |
| Houston | $12.90 |
Commute-adjusted take-home wage
What you actually earn after subtracting the cost of getting to work.
Effective take-home hourly wage after estimated commute costs, based on a 40-hr work week.
| Commute mode | Monthly cost | Hourly impact | Effective wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commute cost (baseline) | — | — | $21.64 |
| NYC Subway (unlimited monthly) | ~$132/mo | −$0.76/hr | $20.88/hr |
| Driving + parking (estimate) | ~$550/mo | −$3.17/hr | $18.47/hr |
Methodology: Commute cost is deducted from median hourly wage assuming 2,080 working hours per year (52 weeks × 40 hrs). Costs are directional estimates based on published transit fares or AAA average variable driving costs. Actual costs vary by distance, schedule, vehicle, and commute days.
NYC Subway (unlimited monthly): MTA 30-day unlimited pass, 2024 rate.
Driving + parking (estimate): AAA avg variable cost + typical NYC street/garage parking.
Local job market
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BLS estimates 135,820 waiters and waitresses workers employed in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area, or 4.9 per 1,000 jobs. (BLS OEWS May 2024)
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Data source: Wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, BLS OEWS May 2024. BLS data is in the public domain. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after retrieval. Wage figures are estimates and do not constitute a guarantee of earnings. Actual pay depends on employer, experience, certifications, and hours worked. Weekly and monthly earnings shown assume a 40-hour work week and are pre-tax estimates. Commute cost figures are directional estimates based on published transit fares and AAA average variable driving cost data; actual commute costs vary.