Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Topeka, KS

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Topeka, KS

Median annual salary $31,580 -6.5% vs national
Median hourly $15.19
10th percentile $16,120
90th percentile $59,200
Employed locally 1,300
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Topeka, KS
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $16,120
    25th
    $20,740
    50th (median)
    $31,580
    75th
    $45,050
    90th
    $59,200

    Topeka economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,160 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
    Jackson, MI $35,500
    Lawrence, KS $35,250
    Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA $35,150
    Wichita, KS $34,800
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $34,150
    Manhattan, KS $33,380

    Related occupations in Topeka, KS

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,300
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,960
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,740
    Food Preparation Workers $29,480
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,830
    Bartenders $26,960

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Topeka, KS is $15.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.14 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Topeka, KS is 6.5% 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 Topeka?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $16,120 per year in Topeka, KS. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,740.