Waiters and Waitresses salary in Vermont
Waiters and Waitresses in Vermont earn a median of $59,140 a year ($28.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,330 for the top 10%. That is 68% higher than the national median of $35,230. Vermont ranks 2nd of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 13 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,850, close to the median.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Vermont
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,690 | $14.28 |
| 25th percentile | $34,840 | $16.75 |
| Median | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| 75th percentile | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,330 | $42.95 |
| Average (mean) | $58,850 | $28.29 |
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 | $4,928.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,464.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,274.62 |
| Weekly | $1,137.31 |
| Hourly | $28.43 |
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 Vermont
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $61,620 | 1,510 |
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 Vermont
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Bartender | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Dishwasher | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,440 | $31.46 |
| Cooks, All Other | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $32,420 | $15.59 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Vermont
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 Vermont?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in Vermont is $59,140 a year, or $28.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Vermont?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in Vermont earn at least $89,330 a year. The top 25% earn $78,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Vermont?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,690 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $34,840 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Vermont?
About 4,040 waiters and waitresses are employed in Vermont, not counting the self-employed.