The average salary for a Waiter in Philadelphia is 34,301 $ per year on a 40-hour full-time equivalent, or 2,858 $ gross per month and 16.49 $ gross per hour. The reported full-time salary range is 20,444 $ to 54,455 $. The analysis is based on 34 salary reports from workers and employers in Philadelphia. Part-time salaries are proportionally converted to 40 weekly hours so the values are comparable.
| Date | Job title | Weekly hours | Reported gross/year | Normalized to 40h/year | Gross/month 40h | Gross/hour 40h | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/28/2026 | Server (newer fine-casual place) | 38.0 h | 29,600 $ | 31,158 $ | 2,596 $ | 14.98 $ | I work full-time at a newer fine-casual spot that values service and gives stronger tip pools. I'm mid-level with a few years of experience in similar environments. |
| 05/18/2026 | Floor Captain (senior, management-level) | 44.0 h | 59,900 $ | 54,455 $ | 4,538 $ | 26.18 $ | I perform as floor captain with supervisory duties, scheduling, and guest relations at a high-revenue venue. My compensation reflects both managerial duties and consistent high service standards. |
| 03/02/2026 | Lead Server (high-volume neighborhood) | 39.0 h | 36,800 $ | 37,744 $ | 3,145 $ | 18.15 $ | I lead closing shifts and handle the busiest sections. I've been at the restaurant for several years and benefits and tips improved as the neighborhood gentrified. |
| 01/09/2026 | Server (part-time, hospitality student) | 25.0 h | 19,500 $ | 31,200 $ | 2,600 $ | 15.00 $ | I'm a hospitality student working part-time to cover living expenses. I usually work nights and weekends and the job is flexible around my classes. |
| 10/21/2025 | Head Waiter (fine dining) | 45.0 h | 54,700 $ | 48,622 $ | 4,052 $ | 23.38 $ | I am head waiter at a fine-dining establishment with significant responsibilities for service standards and training. My schedule averages long hours and the role commands higher compensation. |
| 08/09/2025 | Senior Server (high-end private dining) | 40.0 h | 48,700 $ | 48,700 $ | 4,058 $ | 23.41 $ | I handle private dining engagements and concierge-level service in upscale settings. My clientele tips reliably, and I've built a reputation that supports higher earnings. |
| 06/05/2025 | Server (experienced, busy brunch shifts) | 36.0 h | 33,100 $ | 36,778 $ | 3,065 $ | 17.68 $ | I focus on high-volume weekend brunch shifts and pick up weekday evening shifts as needed. My average weekly hours are slightly under full-time but tips increase my annual earnings. |
| 03/28/2025 | Floor Manager (restaurant group) | 44.0 h | 50,300 $ | 45,727 $ | 3,811 $ | 21.98 $ | I manage floor operations for a multi-location group. My role includes hiring, loss prevention, and high-level shift management. Hours are long but compensation is close to industry management rates. |
| 01/16/2025 | Private Event Server (self-employed, expanded) | 30.0 h | 38,100 $ | 50,800 $ | 4,233 $ | 24.42 $ | I expanded my private-event business and now work many high-end weekend events. Although my weekly hours average around 30, certain months are intense and pay well. |
| 11/08/2024 | Head Server / Assistant Manager | 43.0 h | 47,200 $ | 43,907 $ | 3,659 $ | 21.11 $ | I act as head server with assistant manager duties, including scheduling and vendor communications. My hours are often longer than a standard server and compensation reflects managerial responsibilities. |
| 08/13/2024 | Catering Lead (self-employed, event server) | 33.0 h | 42,300 $ | 51,273 $ | 4,273 $ | 24.65 $ | I run a small catering server crew and often work events myself. I average around 33 hours weekly spread across events and manage bookings, staffing, and service execution. |
| 05/29/2024 | Lead Server (senior, large venue) | 40.0 h | 41,500 $ | 41,500 $ | 3,458 $ | 19.95 $ | I lead a large evening team at a busy venue and coordinate seating and large party logistics. My compensation increased as the venue expanded and demand rose. |
| 02/03/2024 | Server (startup restaurant, entry-level) | 38.0 h | 22,400 $ | 23,579 $ | 1,965 $ | 11.34 $ | I joined a newer neighborhood spot as a full-time server. It's been growing and tips improved over the year, but base pay is still modest. |
| 12/02/2023 | Server (night shifts, experienced) | 38.0 h | 35,100 $ | 36,947 $ | 3,079 $ | 17.76 $ | I pick up most late-night and weekend shifts at a busy neighborhood bar/restaurant. My tips on those shifts push my annual earnings higher than midday-only servers. |
| 10/11/2023 | Bartender-Server (dual role, part-time) | 32.0 h | 25,200 $ | 31,500 $ | 2,625 $ | 15.14 $ | I split shifts bartending and serving, averaging about 32 hours a week. Tips from the bar significantly increase overall pay compared to front-of-house only roles. |
| 06/27/2023 | Server (high-end restaurant) | 38.0 h | 38,300 $ | 40,316 $ | 3,360 $ | 19.38 $ | I serve at a high-end dining spot where tipping tends to be higher. I'm full-time with four years of experience and often handle large tasting-menu parties. |
| 02/07/2023 | Floor Manager (promoted from waiter) | 42.0 h | 39,500 $ | 37,619 $ | 3,135 $ | 18.09 $ | I was promoted into a floor manager role after eight years as a waiter. I still run shifts and handle staffing and inventory tasks. Hours are long but pay reflects added responsibilities. |
| 12/14/2022 | Assistant Floor Manager (promoted) | 42.0 h | 45,800 $ | 43,619 $ | 3,635 $ | 20.97 $ | After years as a server I was promoted to assistant floor manager and now handle payroll input and staffing alongside shift duties. Hours are heavier but salary increased accordingly. |
| 09/19/2022 | Head Server / Trainer | 40.0 h | 34,200 $ | 34,200 $ | 2,850 $ | 16.44 $ | I'm the head server responsible for training new staff at a popular restaurant. My role includes opening/closing duties and floor management during service. |
| 04/05/2022 | Server (experienced) | 38.0 h | 28,900 $ | 30,421 $ | 2,535 $ | 14.63 $ | With six years in busy Philly dining rooms, I typically work full-time and have regular high-tip shifts. I also do some late-night private gigs that boost my income. |
| 11/30/2021 | Private Event Server (self-employed) | 28.0 h | 26,500 $ | 37,857 $ | 3,155 $ | 18.20 $ | I freelance as a private-event server and cater small weddings and corporate events. I average around 28 hours a week but earnings depend on season and bookings. |
| 10/06/2021 | Server (part-time, corporate events) | 24.0 h | 21,200 $ | 35,333 $ | 2,944 $ | 16.99 $ | I primarily serve at corporate events and conventions part-time. Event work pays well per hour but is seasonal; my average weekly hours are around 24. |
| 08/14/2021 | Lead Server (mid-level) | 38.0 h | 21,500 $ | 22,632 $ | 1,886 $ | 10.88 $ | I work full-time and lead a small shift team. My responsibilities increased in 2021 as we rebuilt staff, but pay increases were modest compared to the extra work. |
| 03/22/2021 | Server (returning full-time) | 38.0 h | 19,800 $ | 20,842 $ | 1,737 $ | 10.02 $ | In 2021 I returned to a full-time schedule after restaurants reopened. Business was still recovering, so tips were below pre-pandemic levels for a while. |
| 09/01/2020 | Server (reduced hours, part-time) | 20.0 h | 11,000 $ | 22,000 $ | 1,833 $ | 10.58 $ | I kept a part-time schedule through much of 2020 as indoor dining rules changed. Tips were intermittent and I relied on unemployment support at times. |
| 05/10/2020 | Server (pandemic-impacted, part-time) | 18.0 h | 9,200 $ | 20,444 $ | 1,704 $ | 9.83 $ | During 2020 I was scheduled extremely low hours due to shutdowns and restrictions. I was still doing some takeout support and private deliveries, but overall earnings were much lower than normal. |
| 11/02/2019 | Server (large chain, part-time) | 30.0 h | 16,000 $ | 21,333 $ | 1,778 $ | 10.26 $ | I work part-time at a high-volume chain restaurant. My schedule averages around 30 hours a week and tips are split in some rotations, which affects earnings. |
| 06/18/2019 | Head Server (senior) | 40.0 h | 32,900 $ | 32,900 $ | 2,742 $ | 15.82 $ | I was promoted to head server after seven years. I oversee floor setup and coordinate with kitchen staff during service. I work full-time and occasionally cover managerial tasks. |
| 10/04/2018 | Server (small restaurant, full-time) | 39.0 h | 27,600 $ | 28,308 $ | 2,359 $ | 13.61 $ | I've worked full-time at a small family-run restaurant for four years. Tips and a small hourly wage together are my gross annual earnings; my role is steady and predictable. |
| 03/15/2018 | Banquet Server (seasonal, part-time) | 24.0 h | 13,500 $ | 22,500 $ | 1,875 $ | 10.82 $ | I pick up banquet shifts during busy seasons and usually work part-time around another job. Income varies a lot by month depending on bookings. |
| 12/09/2017 | Lead Server (mid-level) | 38.0 h | 26,200 $ | 27,579 $ | 2,298 $ | 13.26 $ | I'm the lead server on evening shifts with about five years of experience. I don't have formal management duties but I train new hires and run expeditor shifts occasionally. |
| 05/21/2017 | Server (part-time, weekend) | 22.5 h | 11,800 $ | 20,978 $ | 1,748 $ | 10.09 $ | I work weekends only as a server to supplement income from another job. Average weekly hours are low but weekend shifts are busy so tips are decent some weeks. |
| 11/03/2016 | Waiter (mid-level, full-time) | 38.0 h | 23,800 $ | 25,053 $ | 2,088 $ | 12.04 $ | I worked full-time as a waiter at a moderately busy neighborhood spot. I have about three years of experience and handle sections on my own. Hours are steady and tips make up a large portion of my pay. |
| 08/12/2016 | Server (entry-level, part-time) | 20.0 h | 14,200 $ | 28,400 $ | 2,367 $ | 13.65 $ | I started as an entry-level server working part-time while in school. I average about 20 hours a week and mostly get small table tips. This was my first restaurant job and I had minimal prior experience. |
The average salary for a Waiter in Philadelphia is 34,301 $ per year on a 40-hour basis, or 2,858 $ gross per month.
Part-time and full-time reports are normalized to a 40-hour workweek so salary reports can be compared fairly.
You can find more comparisons on the profession overview for Waiter and the city overview for Philadelphia. They show reported cities or jobs with their difference from the average.
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