Waiters and Waitresses

This post summarizes key statistics on Waiters and Waitresses using nationally representative data. These statistics include education attainment distributions, income over the career, most common majors, and more.

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Age IncMed
20 11,340
25 21,608
30 24,718
35 24,434
40 25,929
45 27,009
50 24,950
55 24,950
60 23,895
65 20,413


Hours Worked Share
0-20 25.50
20-39 46.30
39-41 22.00
41-50 4.10
50-60 1.40
More than 60 0.60

Income Over Career

This chart provides the median income by age for Waiters and Waitresses.

Ten Most Common Industries

Share Income Industry
93.80 18,538 Eating and drinking places
2.00 21,991 Miscellaneous entertainment and recreation services
1.90 30,541 Hotels and motels
0.30 13,801 Residential care facilities, without nursing
0.20 14,045 Beverage industries
0.20 10,263 Nursing and personal care facilities
0.20 14,045 Elementary and secondary schools
0.10 32,887 Services incidental to transportation
0.10 23,457 Grocery stores
0.10 19,733 Gasoline service stations

This table highlights the top industries people working as Waiters and Waitresses work in, and how much they earn in each industry.

Education Distribution

This chart shows the maximal educational attainment of people working as Waiters and Waitresses. Its meant to give a sense of the credentials required to work in this Occupation.

Ten Most Common Majors

This table highlights the top majors people working as Waiters and Waitresses received, and how earnings vary by major.

Weekly Hours Distribution

This chart shows the distribution of typical weekly work hours of people working as Waiters and Waitresses. Its meant to provide a sense of the work-life balance one should expect from this Occupation.

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