Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Eau Claire, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Eau Claire, WI

Median annual salary $28,650 -15.1% vs national
Median hourly $13.77
10th percentile $16,510
90th percentile $50,350
Employed locally 1,150
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Eau Claire, WI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $16,510
    25th
    $21,810
    50th (median)
    $28,650
    75th
    $38,970
    90th
    $50,350

    Eau Claire economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,513 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 40% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 60% 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
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $46,390
    Lewiston-Auburn, ME $38,740
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $36,590
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $36,290
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $35,900
    Wichita, KS $34,800

    Related occupations in Eau Claire, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,210
    Bartenders $22,120
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,870
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,090
    Food Preparation Workers $33,040
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,310

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Eau Claire?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Eau Claire, WI is $13.77, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.21 or more per hour.

    Is Eau Claire above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Eau Claire, WI is 15.1% 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 Eau Claire?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $16,510 per year in Eau Claire, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,810.