SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Lower East Mississippi
Lower East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay in Lower East Mississippi, MS is $18,080 a year, 48.7% 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 Lower East Mississippi, MS is $18,080 a year, 48.7% under the national median of $35,230 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $15,810 and $25,630. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $15,200 and the ninetieth at $35,520.
The area has 1,340 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 10.8 of every thousand jobs. Gulfport leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $22,600. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 344th of 344 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,200 | −56.9% |
| 25th | $15,810 | −55.1% |
| Median (50th) | $18,080 | −48.7% |
| 75th | $25,630 | −27.2% |
| 90th | $35,520 | +0.8% |
| Mean | $22,270 | −36.8% |
Other metro areas in Mississippi
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gulfport | $22,600 | 3,910 | |
| 2 | Hattiesburg | $21,830 | 1,010 | |
| 3 | Jackson | $21,440 | 2,750 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lower East Mississippi run 13.0% below the national average, so the median of $18,080 goes as far as $20,782 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 41.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$18,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$20,782US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $18,080 a year, 48.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $15,200 to $35,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,340 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Gulfport, at $22,600.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Lower East Mississippi, MS?
The median annual wage is $18,080, or $8.69 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 Lower East Mississippi, MS is 48.7% 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 Lower East Mississippi, MS earns more than $35,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $15,200 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 Gulfport, at $22,600 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,340 jobs in this occupation in Lower East Mississippi, MS. 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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