Waiters and Waitresses
Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Waiters and Waitresses to increase by 2.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 2,284,400 to 2,330,900 jobs. Its estimate of 423,100 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($35,230), education (No formal educational credential), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
2,284,400
Projected employment (2034)
2,330,900
Projected change (2024–2034)
2%
Annual openings (projected average)
423,100
Pay & Preparation
$35,230
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Service Orientation (3.88/5) • Speaking (3.5/5) • Active Listening (3.5/5) • Social Perceptiveness (3.38/5) • Coordination (3.12/5) • Monitoring (3/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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