SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Brownsville
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Brownsville, TX is $21,010 per year, substantially below the national median of $35,230 — a gap of 40.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Brownsville, TX is $21,010 per year, substantially below the national median of $35,230 — a gap of 40.4%. Half of workers earn between $16,110 and $34,040. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $15,480 and the ninetieth at $45,110.
Employment stands at 2,430, or 15.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, San Antonio records the highest median at $28,110. Of the 311 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 309th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,480 | −56.1% |
| 25th | $16,110 | −54.3% |
| Median (50th) | $21,010 | −40.4% |
| 75th | $34,040 | −3.4% |
| 90th | $45,110 | +28.0% |
| Mean | $26,330 | −25.3% |
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 Brownsville run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $21,010 goes as far as $21,637 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 38.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$21,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$21,637US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $21,010 a year, 40.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $15,480 to $45,110 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,430 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 Brownsville, TX?
The median annual wage is $21,010, or $10.10 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 Brownsville, TX is 40.4% 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 Brownsville, TX earns more than $45,110 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $15,480 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 2,430 jobs in this occupation in Brownsville, 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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