Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Athens, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Athens-Clarke County, GA

Median annual salary $17,810 -47.2% vs national
Median hourly $8.56
10th percentile $15,080
90th percentile $45,760
Employed locally 1,950
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Athens, GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $15,080
    25th
    $15,080
    50th (median)
    $17,810
    75th
    $31,520
    90th
    $45,760

    Athens economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,897 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 28% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 72% 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
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $46,820
    Michigan $35,940
    Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $34,900
    Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area $34,150
    Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area $34,140
    Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area $30,770

    Related occupations in Athens, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$24,530
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,740
    Cooks, Restaurant$30,990
    Food Preparation Workers$30,320
    Bartenders$19,500
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$25,080

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Athens, GA is $8.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.92 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Athens, GA is 47.2% 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 Athens?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $15,080 per year in Athens, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $15,080.