Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fort Smith, AR-OK

Median annual salary $25,960 -23.1% vs national
Median hourly $12.48
10th percentile $22,880
90th percentile $41,590
Employed locally 1,390
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Fort Smith, AR-OK
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,880
    25th
    $23,190
    50th (median)
    $25,960
    75th
    $29,430
    90th
    $41,590

    Fort Smith economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $56,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 46% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 54% 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
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $48,480
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $47,080
    Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $46,320
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $46,020

    Related occupations in Fort Smith, AR-OK

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $24,610
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $29,750
    Cooks, Restaurant $28,100
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $29,800
    Cooks, Fast Food $23,580
    Food Preparation Workers $26,770

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Fort Smith?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $12.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.31 or more per hour.

    Is Fort Smith above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK 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 Fort Smith?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $22,880 per year in Fort Smith, AR-OK. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,190.