Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Median annual salary $24,780 -26.6% vs national
Median hourly $11.91
10th percentile $15,230
90th percentile $47,400
Employed locally 8,560
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Memphis, TN-MS-AR stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Waiters and Waitresses
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $15,230
    25th
    $18,400
    50th (median)
    $24,780
    75th
    $37,340
    90th
    $47,400

    Memphis economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,743 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 38% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 62% 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
    Knoxville, TN $28,100
    Morristown, TN $27,610
    Johnson City, TN $27,050
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $26,210

    Related occupations in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,730
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,490
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,560
    Food Preparation Workers $27,430
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,520
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $33,390

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $11.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.83 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 26.6% 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 Memphis?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $15,230 per year in Memphis, TN-MS-AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $18,400.