SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Eugene
Eugene-Springfield, OR · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Eugene, OR comes to $42,930 a year, ahead of the national median of $35,230 by 21.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Eugene, OR comes to $42,930 a year, ahead of the national median of $35,230 by 21.9%. Pay ranges from under $30,350 at the tenth percentile to more than $73,840 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $31,620 to $59,200.
Employment stands at 1,950, or 12.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Portland records the highest median at $54,780. Of the 434 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 372nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,350 | −13.9% |
| 25th | $31,620 | −10.2% |
| Median (50th) | $42,930 | +21.9% |
| 75th | $59,200 | +68.0% |
| 90th | $73,840 | +109.6% |
| Mean | $47,580 | +35.1% |
Other metro areas in Oregon
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eugene run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $42,930 buys what $41,518 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 17.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$42,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,518US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,930 a year, 21.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,350 to $73,840 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,950 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Portland, at $54,780.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Eugene, OR?
The median annual wage is $42,930, or $20.64 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 Eugene, OR is 21.9% higher. 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 Eugene, OR earns more than $73,840 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,350 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 Portland, at $54,780 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,950 jobs in this occupation in Eugene, OR. 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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