Average Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Waiters and Waitresses in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area earn an average annual salary of $40,710, which is notably higher than the national average of $38,360. This localized pay premium is often influenced by the region's specific economic conditions, demand for service industry professionals, and the overall cost of doing business within this metropolitan area.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $40,710 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 50.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $63,580.
- Outlook: The job market for Waiters and Waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington appears robust, with a substantial local workforce of 43,170 individuals. The Location Quotient of 1.01 suggests a concentration of these roles that is very close to the national average, indicating a stable and consistent demand for service staff within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Waiters and Waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earns+6.1%above the national average.
$19.6
$783
$3,393
Waiters and Waitresses Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume that salaries for Waiters and Waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington have seen a gradual upward trend over the past four years, mirroring general wage growth in the service sector and adjustments for inflation and increasing operational costs for establishments.
Waiters and Waitresses Salary Distribution in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Experience plays a significant role in the earning potential for Waiters and Waitresses. Entry-level positions typically command salaries at the lower end of the spectrum, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can expect to earn considerably more, often reaching the higher percentiles of the salary range, reflecting their value and efficiency.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $21,800 | $10.5 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $30,533 | $14.7 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $35,900 | $17.3 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $50,888 | $24.5 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $63,580 | $30.6 |
Detailed Waiters and Waitresses Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$40,710
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$40,710
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $40,710 in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a waiter's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, suggesting that while earnings are slightly above the national average, the cost of living does not present a significant disadvantage or advantage.
Job Market Context
43,170
Total Jobs
15.047
Per 1K Jobs
1.01
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.01, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Waiters and Waitresses roles compared to the national norm.
With a Location Quotient of 1.01, the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area exhibits a job market for Waiters and Waitresses that is nearly identical in concentration to the national average. This indicates a balanced market where demand and supply are relatively stable, without significant over-saturation or scarcity of these roles.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Waiters and Waitresses
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ Waiters and Waitresses Salary | $46,350↑ 14% | 28 mi |
| Vineland, NJ Waiters and Waitresses Salary | $44,830↑ 10% | 35 mi |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Waiters and Waitresses Salary | $36,930↓ 9% | 47 mi |
| Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area Waiters and Waitresses Salary | $38,710↓ 5% | 47 mi |
| Reading, PA Waiters and Waitresses Salary | $35,300↓ 13% | 48 mi |
Comparing salaries near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Hiring Waiters and Waitressess?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Waiters and Waitresses make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median annual salary for a Waiters and Waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $40,710. This typically ranges from $21,800 for entry-level positions to $63,580 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 6.1% higher than the national median of $38,360.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a lucrative place for Waiters and Waitresses?
Yes, slightly more lucrative than the national average.The average salary of $40,710 is above the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, making it a stable earning environment.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a good place to live for Waiters and Waitresses?
The Cost of Living Index in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
Some top paying nearby cities include Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($46,350) and Vineland, NJ.
How does the local salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is $40,710, which is $2,350 higher than the national average of $38,360.
What is the concentration of Waiters and Waitresses in this area?
The Location Quotient is 1.01, indicating that the concentration of Waiters and Waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is very close to the national average.
How does the cost of living affect the salary?
The Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. This means the slightly higher salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
What is the total number of Waiters and Waitresses in the area?
There are approximately 43,170 Waiters and Waitresses employed in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 43,170 employees in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area with a job density of 15.047 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Waiters and Waitresses Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- All Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Management Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Healthcare Support Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Browse All Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Waiters and Waitresses • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD