Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Cleveland, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cleveland, TN

Median annual salary $22,560 -33.2% vs national
Median hourly $10.85
10th percentile $15,080
90th percentile $45,590
Employed locally 650
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Cleveland, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $15,080
    25th
    $17,870
    50th (median)
    $22,560
    75th
    $36,260
    90th
    $45,590

    Cleveland economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $63,490 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 36% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 64% 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
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $30,300
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $28,100
    Knoxville, TN $28,100
    Morristown, TN $27,610
    Johnson City, TN $27,050
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $26,210

    Related occupations in Cleveland, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $25,920
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,250
    Cooks, Restaurant $32,660
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $23,610
    Food Preparation Workers $25,480
    Cooks, Fast Food $25,920

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Cleveland, TN is $10.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.95 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Cleveland, TN is 33.2% 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 Cleveland?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $15,080 per year in Cleveland, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $17,870.