SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Appleton
Appleton, WI · 10 metro areas compared
In Appleton, WI the median wage is $30,370.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Appleton, WI the median wage is $30,370. That is 13.8% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay ranges from under $17,270 at the tenth percentile to more than $64,690 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $21,390 to $47,010.
The area has 1,490 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.82 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Madison records the highest median at $30,910. Of the 347 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 332nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,270 | −51.0% |
| 25th | $21,390 | −39.3% |
| Median (50th) | $30,370 | −13.8% |
| 75th | $47,010 | +33.4% |
| 90th | $64,690 | +83.6% |
| Mean | $36,600 | +3.9% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $30,910 | 5,130 | |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $30,330 | 10,020 | |
| 3 | Racine | $30,020 | 850 | |
| 4 | Sheboygan | $29,980 | 640 | |
| 5 | Oshkosh | $29,840 | 950 | |
| 6 | Eau Claire | $29,720 | 1,160 | |
| 7 | Green Bay | $29,610 | 2,170 | |
| 8 | Kenosha | $29,480 | 960 | |
| 9 | Wausau | $29,060 | 720 | |
| 10 | Janesville | $28,990 | 820 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Appleton run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $30,370 goes as far as $32,274 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,370as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,274US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,370 a year, 13.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $17,270 to $64,690 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,490 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Madison, at $30,910.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Appleton, WI?
The median annual wage is $30,370, or $14.60 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 Appleton, WI is 13.8% 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 Appleton, WI earns more than $64,690 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $17,270 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 Madison, at $30,910 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,490 jobs in this occupation in Appleton, WI. 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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