Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Knoxville, TN

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

Median annual salary $28,100 -16.8% vs national
Median hourly $13.51
10th percentile $15,080
90th percentile $46,930
Employed locally 7,410
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Knoxville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $15,080
    25th
    $19,610
    50th (median)
    $28,100
    75th
    $37,940
    90th
    $46,930

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 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
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $30,300
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $28,100
    Morristown, TN $27,610
    Johnson City, TN $27,050
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $26,210
    Clarksville, TN-KY $25,970

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,680
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,620
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,630
    Food Preparation Workers $30,920
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,760
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,310

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Knoxville, TN is $13.51, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.97 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Knoxville, TN is 16.8% 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $15,080 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $19,610.