Waiter/Waitress Salary in Los Angeles, CA

How Much Does a Waiter/Waitress Make in Los Angeles, CA?

The average salary for a Waiter/Waitress in Los Angeles, CA is $3,376.67 base plus tips per month or $40,520 base plus tips per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

What could I earn?

Find out how your salary compares to the average Waiter/Waitress salary.

Average Waiter/Waitress Base Salary:

What can I earn as Waiter/Waitress? Your salary is $0.00 on the US national average.
$19.48
Market Average $19.48
Your salary $19.48
$6.00 $12.00 $24.00

How Does the Salary of a Waiter/Waitress in Los Angeles Compare to the National Average?

The average annual salary for a Waiter/Waitress in Los Angeles is $40,520, which is higher than the national average of approximately $34,030. This difference highlights the impact of Los Angeles’ higher cost of living and the abundance of upscale dining establishments.

  • Hourly Breakdown: In Los Angeles, the average hourly wage for a waiter is around $19.00. This exceeds the national average of $17.56.
  • Monthly and Weekly Comparisons:
    • Monthly Salary: Los Angeles waiters earn approximately $3,377 per month, while the national average is closer to $2,836.
    • Weekly Salary: Los Angeles waiters earn around $760 per week, compared to the national average of about $654.

The difference is most noticeable in fine dining, luxury hotels and tourist-heavy areas, where patrons tend to tip more generously.

Why It Matters

This data suggests that pursuing Waiter/Waitress jobs in metropolitan areas like Los Angeles can lead to higher earnings, especially for those with experience in high-end or busy establishments. However, the higher cost of living in Los Angeles offsets some of this wage advantage.

High-Paying Cities for Waiters/Waitresses

City Avg Salary Avg Hourly Wage
Chicago, IL $34,340 $16.51
Los Angeles, CA $40,520 $19.48
Miami, FL $37,360 $17.96
NYC, NY $50,860 $24.45
Job title:
  • Waiter/Waitress
  • Assistant Restaurant Manager
  • Baker
  • Barback
  • Barista
  • Bartender
  • Busser
  • Cashier
  • Chef
  • Concierge
  • Cook
  • Director of Restaurant Operations
  • Dishwasher
  • Event Coordinator
  • Event Manager
  • Event Planner
  • Executive Chef
  • Fast-Food Worker
  • Fine Dining Server
  • Food Runner
  • Head Chef
  • Host/Hostess
  • Hotel General Manager
  • Hotel Manager
  • Housekeeper
  • Kitchen Manager
  • Line Cook
  • Pastry Chef
  • Porter
  • Prep Cook
  • Private Chef
  • Receptionist
  • Restaurant Consultant
  • Restaurant Manager
  • Server
  • Sommelier
  • Sous Chef
  • Sushi Chef
  • Valet
Salary:
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Average US
  • Chicago, IL
  • Miami, FL
  • NYC, NY
Growth
N/A
Avg. Salary
$40,520

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