Summary
Please enable javascript to play this video.
Quick Facts: Waiters and Waitresses | |
---|---|
$26,000 per year
$12.50 per hour |
|
No formal educational credential | |
None | |
Short-term on-the-job training | |
1,904,400 | |
10% (Faster than average) | |
197,000 |
What Waiters and Waitresses Do
Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.
Work Environment
Waiters and waitresses work in restaurants, bars, hotels, and other food-serving and drinking establishments. Part-time work is common, and schedules may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays.
How to Become a Waiter or Waitress
Waiters and waitresses typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. They are typically trained on the job.
Pay
The median hourly wage for waiters and waitresses was $12.50 in May 2021.
Job Outlook
Employment of waiters and waitresses is projected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 425,800 openings for waiters and waitresses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for waiters and waitresses.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of waiters and waitresses with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about waiters and waitresses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.