SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Abilene
Abilene, TX · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay in Abilene, TX is $22,520 a year, 36.1% under the national median of $35,230 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Abilene, TX is $22,520 a year, 36.1% under the national median of $35,230 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $17,010 and $36,100. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $16,290 and the ninetieth at $47,280.
The area has 1,080 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.99 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. San Antonio leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $28,110. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 285th of 287 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,290 | −53.8% |
| 25th | $17,010 | −51.7% |
| Median (50th) | $22,520 | −36.1% |
| 75th | $36,100 | +2.5% |
| 90th | $47,280 | +34.2% |
| Mean | $28,340 | −19.6% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Antonio | $28,110 | 20,320 | |
| 2 | Austin | $27,260 | 19,170 | |
| 3 | Sherman | $26,290 | 780 | |
| 4 | Dallas | $24,160 | 53,460 | |
| 5 | Midland | $23,700 | 1,560 | |
| 6 | Texarkana | $23,330 | 970 | |
| 7 | Waco | $23,010 | 1,680 | |
| 8 | Wichita Falls | $22,980 | 840 | |
| 9 | Killeen | $22,910 | 1,900 | |
| 10 | Corpus Christi | $22,820 | 3,390 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Abilene run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $22,520 goes as far as $23,193 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 34.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$22,520as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$23,193US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $22,520 a year, 36.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $16,290 to $47,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,080 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Antonio, at $28,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Abilene, TX?
The median annual wage is $22,520, or $10.83 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,230, so pay in Abilene, TX is 36.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Abilene, TX earns more than $47,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $16,290 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Antonio, at $28,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,080 jobs in this occupation in Abilene, TX. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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