SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Lexington
Lexington-Fayette, KY · 5 metro areas compared
At $34,910, median pay for Waiters and Waitresses in Lexington, KY tracks the national median of $35,230 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $34,910, median pay for Waiters and Waitresses in Lexington, KY tracks the national median of $35,230 closely. Pay ranges from under $16,940 at the tenth percentile to more than $63,020 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $19,040 to $46,760.
Employment stands at 5,020, or 17.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Elizabethtown records the highest median at $30,270. Of the 469 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 432nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,940 | −51.9% |
| 25th | $19,040 | −46.0% |
| Median (50th) | $34,910 | −0.9% |
| 75th | $46,760 | +32.7% |
| 90th | $63,020 | +78.9% |
| Mean | $37,250 | +5.7% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elizabethtown | $30,270 | 760 | |
| 2 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $30,180 | 10,220 | |
| 3 | Owensboro | $29,790 | 780 | |
| 4 | Paducah | $29,280 | 1,010 | |
| 5 | Bowling Green | $28,810 | 1,250 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lexington run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $34,910 goes as far as $38,703 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,910as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,703US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,910 a year, 0.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $16,940 to $63,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 5,020 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Elizabethtown, at $30,270.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Lexington, KY?
The median annual wage is $34,910, or $16.79 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 Lexington, KY is 0.9% 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 Lexington, KY earns more than $63,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $16,940 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 Elizabethtown, at $30,270 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 5,020 jobs in this occupation in Lexington, KY. 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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