Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Tucson, AZ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Tucson, AZ

Median annual salary $35,420 +4.9% vs national
Median hourly $17.03
10th percentile $29,850
90th percentile $71,440
Employed locally 6,920
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Tucson, AZ
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,850
    25th
    $30,150
    50th (median)
    $35,420
    75th
    $48,990
    90th
    $71,440

    Tucson economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,929 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 52% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 48% 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
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $37,650
    Kalamazoo-Portage, MI $35,930
    Flagstaff, AZ $35,710
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $35,680
    Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ $34,980
    Yuma, AZ $34,910

    Related occupations in Tucson, AZ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,890
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,020
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,280
    Food Preparation Workers $34,430
    Bartenders $36,760
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $34,650

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Tucson, AZ is $17.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.34 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Tucson, AZ is 4.9% above 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 Tucson?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $29,850 per year in Tucson, AZ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,150.