SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Alabama
Alabama · 10 metro areas compared
In Alabama the median wage is $26,840.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Alabama the median wage is $26,840. That is 23.8% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay ranges from under $16,550 at the tenth percentile to more than $36,090 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $20,320 to $28,900.
The area has 28,760 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.93 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Alabama ranks number 38th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Huntsville records the highest median at $27,990. Of the 690 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 673rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,550 | −53.0% |
| 25th | $20,320 | −42.3% |
| Median (50th) | $26,840 | −23.8% |
| 75th | $28,900 | −18.0% |
| 90th | $36,090 | +2.4% |
| Mean | $27,200 | −22.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville | $27,990 | 3,290 | |
| 2 | Birmingham | $27,670 | 7,000 | |
| 3 | Daphne | $27,080 | 3,120 | |
| 4 | Decatur | $27,010 | 670 | |
| 5 | Tuscaloosa | $26,930 | 1,650 | |
| 6 | Mobile | $26,860 | 2,510 | |
| 7 | Auburn | $26,470 | 1,310 | |
| 8 | Montgomery | $26,360 | 2,300 | |
| 9 | Florence | $25,990 | 1,100 | |
| 10 | Anniston | $24,640 | 600 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $26,840 goes as far as $30,225 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,840as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,225US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,840 a year, 23.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $16,550 to $36,090 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 28,760 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 38th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Huntsville, at $27,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Alabama?
The median annual wage is $26,840, or $12.91 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 Alabama is 23.8% 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 Alabama earns more than $36,090 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $16,550 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 Huntsville, at $27,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 28,760 jobs in this occupation in Alabama. 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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