Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Appleton, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Appleton, WI

Median annual salary $29,130 -13.7% vs national
Median hourly $14.00
10th percentile $17,740
90th percentile $47,720
Employed locally 1,730
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Appleton, WI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $17,740
    25th
    $22,330
    50th (median)
    $29,130
    75th
    $38,900
    90th
    $47,720

    Appleton economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $83,919 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 35% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 65% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $46,390
    Lewiston-Auburn, ME $38,740
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $36,590
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $36,290
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $35,900
    Wichita, KS $34,800

    Related occupations in Appleton, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,350
    Bartenders$22,670
    Cooks, Restaurant$36,860
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,620
    Food Preparation Workers$31,680
    Dishwashers$23,810

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Appleton?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Appleton, WI is $14.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.10 or more per hour.

    Is Appleton above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Appleton, WI is 13.7% below the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Appleton?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $17,740 per year in Appleton, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,330.