Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Paducah, KY-IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Paducah, KY-IL

Median annual salary $20,510 -39.2% vs national
Median hourly $9.86
10th percentile $15,330
90th percentile $46,350
Employed locally 990
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Paducah, KY-IL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $15,330
    25th
    $15,820
    50th (median)
    $20,510
    75th
    $30,870
    90th
    $46,350

    Paducah economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,286 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 33% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 67% 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
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $36,290
    Sandusky, OH $33,740
    Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $27,410
    Clarksville, TN-KY $25,970
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $25,680
    Rocky Mount, NC $25,090

    Related occupations in Paducah, KY-IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,620
    Cooks, Fast Food $23,120
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,270
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,400
    Food Preparation Workers $24,200
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,450

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Paducah, KY-IL is $9.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.79 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Paducah, KY-IL is 39.2% 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 Paducah?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $15,330 per year in Paducah, KY-IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $15,820.