Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

Median annual salary $25,720 -23.8% vs national
Median hourly $12.37
10th percentile $25,580
90th percentile $47,750
Employed locally 790
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,580
    25th
    $25,580
    50th (median)
    $25,720
    75th
    $34,580
    90th
    $47,750

    Cape Girardeau economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,267 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 38% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 62% 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
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $47,560
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $37,360
    Richmond, VA $36,510

    Related occupations in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food$28,220
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,340
    Cooks, Restaurant$29,300
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,600
    Bartenders$27,030
    Food Preparation Workers$28,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Cape Girardeau?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL is $12.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.10 or more per hour.

    Is Cape Girardeau above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL is 23.8% 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 Cape Girardeau?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $25,580 per year in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,580.