daylma

Washington, DC restaurant & hospitality pay guide

Typical 2026 pay ranges by role across DC, MD & Northern VA. On Daylma, pay is shown upfront on every listing.

These are market estimates for the Washington, DC metro (DC, the Maryland suburbs, and Northern Virginia) to help you gauge a role before you apply or post. Actual pay is set by each employer and shown on every Daylma listing — and on day-labor shifts, you're paid the same day, directly by the employer.

Role
Typical pay
Notes
Dishwasher
$17–20 / hr
Fast to get hired; steady demand
Busser / Barback
$17–21 / hr + tips
Tip-out varies by venue
Host
$18–22 / hr
Front-of-house entry role
Barista
$17–21 / hr + tips
Cafés + hotel coffee bars
Prep Cook
$19–23 / hr
Early shifts; kitchen entry
Line Cook
$20–26 / hr
Most consistent kitchen opening
Food Runner
$18–22 / hr + tips
Often tip-pooled
Server
$18–30 / hr w/ tips
Base + tips; varies with volume
Bartender
$22–36 / hr w/ tips
Experience + venue drive the top end
Sous Chef
$26–34 / hr ($55K–70K)
Salary in larger kitchens
Kitchen Manager / GM
$65K–90K / yr
Salaried; scope-dependent

Estimates only, not a guarantee of pay. Ranges reflect typical DC-area postings and vary by venue, experience, shift, and tips.

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