Waiters and Waitresses Salary in McAllen, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX

Median annual salary $22,900 -32.2% vs national
Median hourly $11.01
10th percentile $15,760
90th percentile $44,760
Employed locally 3,740
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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McAllen, TX
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $15,760
    25th
    $16,540
    50th (median)
    $22,900
    75th
    $35,020
    90th
    $44,760

    McAllen economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $52,281 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 44% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 56% 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
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $29,740
    Midland, TX $29,290
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $29,120
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $28,590
    Sherman-Denison, TX $28,220
    College Station-Bryan, TX $28,170

    Related occupations in McAllen, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $22,690
    Food Preparation Workers $23,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $29,850
    Cooks, Restaurant $27,950
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,740
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $22,320

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in McAllen, TX is $11.01, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.26 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in McAllen, TX is 32.2% 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 McAllen?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $15,760 per year in McAllen, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $16,540.