Waiters and Waitresses salary in New Haven, CT
Waiters and Waitresses in the New Haven, CT metro area earn a median of $37,900 a year ($18.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,420 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is about the same as the Connecticut statewide median of $37,770. There are 12 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $46,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in New Haven, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| 25th percentile | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Median | $37,900 | $18.22 |
| 75th percentile | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,420 | $30.49 |
| Average (mean) | $46,010 | $22.12 |
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 | $3,158.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,579.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,457.69 |
| Weekly | $728.85 |
| Hourly | $18.22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $38,820 | 6,270 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $37,880 | 2,620 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $37,200 | 7,200 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $36,890 | 1,940 |
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 Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Haven, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| Bartender | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,970 | $17.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $53,200 | $25.58 |
| Dishwasher | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,700 | $32.07 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Cooks, All Other | $39,670 | $19.07 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in New Haven, CT
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 New Haven, CT?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the New Haven, CT metro area is $37,900 a year, or $18.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in New Haven, CT?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the New Haven, CT metro area earn at least $63,420 a year. The top 25% earn $48,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in New Haven, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,010 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $35,540 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in New Haven, CT?
About 3,290 waiters and waitresses are employed in the New Haven, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.