Waiters and Waitresses salary in Columbus, OH
Waiters and Waitresses in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $37,490 a year ($18.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,250 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 2% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $36,700. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,370 | $11.72 |
| 25th percentile | $29,620 | $14.24 |
| Median | $37,490 | $18.03 |
| 75th percentile | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,250 | $30.41 |
| Average (mean) | $43,070 | $20.71 |
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 | $3,124.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,562.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,441.92 |
| Weekly | $720.96 |
| Hourly | $18.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lima, OH | $36,720 | 680 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $36,600 | 4,700 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,530 | 17,790 |
| Cleveland, OH | $36,260 | 14,120 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $36,210 | 2,690 |
| Akron, OH | $36,150 | 4,680 |
| Toledo, OH | $36,140 | 4,600 |
| Springfield, OH | $36,060 | 560 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $35,840 | 500 |
| Mansfield, OH | $35,170 | 850 |
| Sandusky, OH | $34,610 | 1,400 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $33,910 | 2,580 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $30,740 | 880 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $30,690 | 1,720 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,670 | $13.78 |
| Bartender | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,250 | $15.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,930 | $17.75 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,650 | $13.29 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,000 | $14.42 |
| Dishwasher | $33,690 | $16.20 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $25,290 | $12.16 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $27,080 | $13.02 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,830 | $28.77 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Columbus, OH metro area is $37,490 a year, or $18.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $63,250 a year. The top 25% earn $49,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,370 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $29,620 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Columbus, OH?
About 15,900 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.