Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Bowling Green, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bowling Green, KY

Median annual salary $20,950 -37.9% vs national
Median hourly $10.07
10th percentile $15,420
90th percentile $47,990
Employed locally 1,260
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Bowling Green, KY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $15,420
    25th
    $15,920
    50th (median)
    $20,950
    75th
    $35,570
    90th
    $47,990

    Bowling Green economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,437 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 34% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 66% 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
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $36,290
    Sandusky, OH $33,740
    Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $27,410
    Clarksville, TN-KY $25,970
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $25,680
    Rocky Mount, NC $25,090

    Related occupations in Bowling Green, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,580
    Cooks, Fast Food $23,350
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,440
    Food Preparation Workers $24,080
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,180
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $30,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Bowling Green?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Bowling Green, KY is $10.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.03 or more per hour.

    Is Bowling Green above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Bowling Green, KY is 37.9% 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 Bowling Green?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $15,420 per year in Bowling Green, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $15,920.