Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

OysterLink Analysis: Bartenders and Waiters See Wage Growth of Nearly 40% in 5 Years

By: Newsfile

OysterLink's review of BLS data reveals the fastest-growing hospitality wages from 2020 to 2024

Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2025) - Hospitality job platform OysterLink released an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data that spotlights the hospitality roles with the strongest wage growth between 2020 and 2024. The findings show that bartenders and waiters led the industry with pay increases of up to 39.6%, reflecting shifting industry dynamics and growing demand for talent.

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10722/267632_dfc02443a44eead9_001.jpg

Bartender Wages 

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10722/267632_dfc02443a44eead9_001full.jpg

"Hospitality has always been a people-first industry, and this level of wage growth shows both opportunity for workers and the challenges employers face in attracting and retaining talent," said Milos Eric, co-founder and general manager of OysterLink. "At OysterLink, we're committed to helping hospitality professionals navigate these changes by providing the tools and community they need to thrive."

While management roles like restaurant managers and hotel managers still offer the highest overall pay, it's the traditionally entry-level jobs - waiters, bartenders, dishwashers, and hosts - that have experienced the steepest wage increases. This trend points to a rising baseline in hospitality pay and stronger competition for frontline workers.

Table 1. Top Hospitality Jobs by Wage Growth (2020-2024)

Job Title2020 Avg. Salary2024 Avg. SalaryTotal Wage Growth
Waiter$27,470$38,360+39.64%
Bartender$28,910$39,880+37.95%
Dishwasher$25,600$33,220+29.77%
Host/Hostess$24,800$32,030+29.15%
Housekeeper$28,010$36,180+29.17%
Fast-Food Worker$24,540$31,350+27.75%

 

Why This Wage Growth Matters

The rapid wage growth in frontline hospitality roles such as waiters and bartenders signals a major shift in the industry. Traditionally, these jobs have been viewed as entry-level positions with modest pay. However, the combination of labor shortages, rising demand for hospitality services, and increasing expectations from workers has pushed wages significantly higher.

For workers, this means stronger earning potential and more sustainable career paths in roles that once carried limited financial prospects. For employers, it highlights the urgency of offering competitive compensation and better retention strategies to secure and keep talent in a tight labor market.

About OysterLink

OysterLink is a job platform for restaurant and hospitality professionals with over 400,000 monthly visitors. OysterLink connects talent with opportunities across the U.S., including the top server jobs in Miami or bartender jobs in Orlando.

The platform also offers trend reports, expert insights, and interviews with leaders in hospitality. To explore more data-driven insights or post a job that works for today's talent, visit www.oysterlink.com.   

Media Contact
Ana Demidova   
ana@oysterlink.com      

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/267632

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.