Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Tuscaloosa, AL

Median annual salary $22,740 -32.6% vs national
Median hourly $10.93
10th percentile $16,370
90th percentile $34,920
Employed locally 1,810
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Tuscaloosa, AL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $16,370
    25th
    $17,480
    50th (median)
    $22,740
    75th
    $28,110
    90th
    $34,920

    Tuscaloosa economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $59,975 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
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $48,110
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $47,080
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $46,820
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $45,530
    Walla Walla, WA $44,590
    Central East New York nonmetropolitan area $44,240

    Related occupations in Tuscaloosa, AL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $23,850
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,600
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,340
    Food Preparation Workers $28,800
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $29,940

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Tuscaloosa, AL is $10.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.22 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Tuscaloosa, AL is 32.6% 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 Tuscaloosa?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $16,370 per year in Tuscaloosa, AL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $17,480.