Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Columbia, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, MO

Median annual salary $25,950 -23.1% vs national
Median hourly $12.48
10th percentile $25,580
90th percentile $46,880
Employed locally 2,260
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Columbia, MO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,580
    25th
    $25,580
    50th (median)
    $25,950
    75th
    $30,930
    90th
    $46,880

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,463 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 37% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 63% 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 Columbia, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $28,200
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,090
    Cooks, Restaurant $33,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,850
    Bartenders $25,580
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,360

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Columbia, MO is $12.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.35 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Columbia, MO is 23.1% 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 Columbia?

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