Waiters and Waitresses salary in Maine
Waiters and Waitresses in Maine earn a median of $43,370 a year ($20.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,930 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $35,230. Maine ranks 11th of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| 25th percentile | $32,860 | $15.80 |
| Median | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| 75th percentile | $62,910 | $30.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| Average (mean) | $51,260 | $24.65 |
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 | $3,614.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,807.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,668.08 |
| Weekly | $834.04 |
| Hourly | $20.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in cities in Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | $45,610 | 900 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $44,070 | 5,070 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $43,130 | 450 |
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 Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Bartender | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Dishwasher | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,360 | $17.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Maine
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 Maine?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in Maine is $43,370 a year, or $20.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Maine?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in Maine earn at least $82,930 a year. The top 25% earn $62,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,490 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $32,860 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Maine?
About 9,090 waiters and waitresses are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.