Waiters and Waitresses salary in Worcester, MA
Waiters and Waitresses in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median of $36,840 a year ($17.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,720 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 4% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $38,460. There are 13 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Worcester, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| Median | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| 75th percentile | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,720 | $28.71 |
| Average (mean) | $42,310 | $20.34 |
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 | $3,070 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,535 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,416.92 |
| Weekly | $708.46 |
| Hourly | $17.71 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $39,270 | 41,570 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $38,380 | 2,970 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $36,650 | 980 |
| Springfield, MA | $36,170 | 2,670 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $35,950 | 1,150 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $35,750 | 13,600 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,610 | $16.64 |
| Bartender | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,500 | $21.87 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Dishwasher | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $33,620 | $16.17 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,870 | $17.25 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $40,780 | $19.61 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,770 | $17.68 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Worcester, MA
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 Worcester, MA?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Worcester, MA metro area is $36,840 a year, or $17.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Worcester, MA?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Worcester, MA metro area earn at least $59,720 a year. The top 25% earn $43,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Worcester, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $33,900 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Worcester, MA?
About 4,610 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Worcester, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.