SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — East-Central Montana
East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in East-Central Montana, MT is $22,880 per year, substantially below the national median of $35,230 — a gap of 35.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in East-Central Montana, MT is $22,880 per year, substantially below the national median of $35,230 — a gap of 35.1%. Half of workers earn between $22,250 and $28,020. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $21,940 and the ninetieth at $44,590.
The area has 710 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 11.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Bozeman records the highest median at $26,380. Of the 260 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 259th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,940 | −37.7% |
| 25th | $22,250 | −36.8% |
| Median (50th) | $22,880 | −35.1% |
| 75th | $28,020 | −20.5% |
| 90th | $44,590 | +26.6% |
| Mean | $27,230 | −22.7% |
Other metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $26,380 | 1,200 | |
| 2 | Missoula | $23,210 | 930 | |
| 3 | Helena | $23,020 | 520 | |
| 4 | Billings | $22,940 | 1,320 | |
| 5 | Great Falls | $22,270 | 450 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East-Central Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $22,880 goes as far as $24,186 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 31.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$22,880as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$24,186US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $22,880 a year, 35.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,940 to $44,590 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 710 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bozeman, at $26,380.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in East-Central Montana, MT?
The median annual wage is $22,880, or $11.00 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 East-Central Montana, MT is 35.1% 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 East-Central Montana, MT earns more than $44,590 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,940 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 Bozeman, at $26,380 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 710 jobs in this occupation in East-Central Montana, MT. 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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