Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Waiters and waitresses typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. They are typically trained on the job. PayThe median hourly wage for waiters and waitresses was $16.94 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of waiters and waitresses is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 423,100 openings for waiters and waitresses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for waiters and waitresses. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of waiters and waitresses with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about waiters and waitresses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median hourly wage for waiters and waitresses was $16.94 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of waiters and waitresses is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 423,100 openings for waiters and waitresses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for waiters and waitresses. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of waiters and waitresses with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about waiters and waitresses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of waiters and waitresses is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 423,100 openings for waiters and waitresses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for waiters and waitresses. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of waiters and waitresses with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about waiters and waitresses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.
Work Environment
Waiters and waitresses work in restaurants, bars, hotels, and other food-serving and drinking establishments. Part-time work is common, and schedules may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays.
How to Become a Waiter or Waitress
Waiters and waitresses typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. They are typically trained on the job.
Pay
The median hourly wage for waiters and waitresses was $16.94 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of waiters and waitresses is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 423,100 openings for waiters and waitresses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for waiters and waitresses.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of waiters and waitresses with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about waiters and waitresses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Waiters and waitresses work in restaurants, bars, hotels, and other food-serving and drinking establishments. Part-time work is common, and schedules may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays.
How to Become a Waiter or Waitress
Waiters and waitresses typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. They are typically trained on the job.
Pay
The median hourly wage for waiters and waitresses was $16.94 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of waiters and waitresses is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 423,100 openings for waiters and waitresses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for waiters and waitresses.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of waiters and waitresses with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about waiters and waitresses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for waiters and waitresses.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of waiters and waitresses with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about waiters and waitresses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about waiters and waitresses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.