Waiters and Waitresses salary in Ponce, PR
Waiters and Waitresses in the Ponce, PR metro area earn a median of $22,260 a year ($10.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,140 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 2% lower than the Puerto Rico statewide median of $22,790. There are 11 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $28,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Ponce, PR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Median | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| 75th percentile | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Average (mean) | $28,140 | $13.53 |
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 | $1,855 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $927.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $856.15 |
| Weekly | $428.08 |
| Hourly | $10.70 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $24,250 | 9,190 |
| Arecibo, PR | $22,140 | 450 |
| Aguadilla, PR | $21,840 | 690 |
| Guayama, PR | $21,840 | 130 |
| Mayaguez, PR | $21,840 | 680 |
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 Puerto Rico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ponce, PR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Bartender | $21,970 | $10.56 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $23,770 | $11.43 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $28,540 | $13.72 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $23,350 | $11.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $27,900 | $13.41 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,330 | $10.74 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $21,960 | $10.56 |
| Dishwasher | $22,370 | $10.76 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,360 | $10.75 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $30,800 | $14.81 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Ponce, PR
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 Ponce, PR?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Ponce, PR metro area is $22,260 a year, or $10.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Ponce, PR?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Ponce, PR metro area earn at least $37,140 a year. The top 25% earn $35,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Ponce, PR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,840 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $21,840 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Ponce, PR?
About 730 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Ponce, PR metro area, not counting the self-employed.