Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Tennessee
Waiters and Waitresses in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $27,760 —21.2% below the national median of $35,230. That ranks TN #37 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.09×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $62,390 | $29.99 | 14,090 | 1.54 |
| 2 | Vermont | $59,140 | $28.43 | 4,040 | 0.91 |
| 3 | Washington | $56,130 | $26.98 | 45,400 | 0.88 |
| 4 | Oregon | $48,410 | $23.27 | 23,040 | 0.80 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $47,850 | $23.01 | 11,530 | 1.12 |
| 6 | New York | $47,020 | $22.61 | 142,940 | 1.01 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $44,960 | $21.62 | 55,800 | 0.89 |
| 8 | Colorado | $44,860 | $21.57 | 40,680 | 0.97 |
| 9 | Virginia | $44,760 | $21.52 | 59,370 | 0.99 |
| 10 | Arizona | $43,950 | $21.13 | 55,950 | 1.18 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 | $31,200 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $28,700 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $27,480 | $34,340 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,330 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do waiters and waitresses make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for waiters and waitresses in Tennessee is $27,760, or $13.35 per hour. That is 21.2% below the national median of $35,230.
What is the entry-level waiters and waitresses salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $15,080 per year ($7.25/hour). The 25th percentile is $16,790.
How many people work as waiters and waitresses in Tennessee?
About 52,120 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 15.9 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for waiters and waitresses?
Tennessee ranks #37 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.09x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays waiters and waitresses the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage at $62,390 per year, followed by Vermont ($59,140) and Washington ($56,130).