SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Helena
Helena, MT · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay in Helena, MT is $23,020 a year, 34.7% under the national median of $35,230 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Helena, MT is $23,020 a year, 34.7% under the national median of $35,230 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $22,140 and $28,120. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $21,940 and the ninetieth at $45,420.
The area has 520 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 11.7 of every thousand jobs. Bozeman leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $26,380. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 240th of 241 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,940 | −37.7% |
| 25th | $22,140 | −37.2% |
| Median (50th) | $23,020 | −34.7% |
| 75th | $28,120 | −20.2% |
| 90th | $45,420 | +28.9% |
| Mean | $28,790 | −18.3% |
Other metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $26,380 | 1,200 | |
| 2 | Missoula | $23,210 | 930 | |
| 3 | Billings | $22,940 | 1,320 | |
| 4 | Great Falls | $22,270 | 450 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Helena run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $23,020 goes as far as $24,334 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 30.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$23,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$24,334US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $23,020 a year, 34.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,940 to $45,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 520 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 Helena, MT?
The median annual wage is $23,020, or $11.07 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 Helena, MT is 34.7% 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 Helena, MT earns more than $45,420 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 520 jobs in this occupation in Helena, 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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