Waiters and waitresses Pay Data UK — 2025

Waiters and waitresses roles in the UK earn a median of £21,255 per year, equivalent to £12.67 per hour as of 2025. This represents a 0.9% increase in annual pay compared to the previous year. Pay varies across the UK, ranging from £14,627 to £34,406 per year.

How Pay Varies Across the UK

Each bar shows how many areas of the UK have a median annual pay in that range for Waiters and waitresses roles. The dashed line marks the national median.

Based on sub-regional area data. Want a precise figure for your area?

About Waiters and waitresses

Waiters and waitresses serve food and beverages in hotels, clubs, restaurants public houses and other establishments.

Typical Tasks and Duties

• sets tables with clean linen, cutlery, crockery and glassware
• presents menus and wine lists to patrons and may describe dishes and advise on selection of food or wines
• takes down orders for food and/or drinks and passes order to kitchen and/or bar
• serves food and drinks
• presents bill and accepts payment at end of the meal

Entry Routes and Qualifications

There are no formal academic entry requirements, though some employers may require GCSEs/S grades. Training is typically provided on-the-job. NVQs/SVQs in relevant areas are available at levels 1 and 2.

Related Occupations

Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.