SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — McAllen
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX · 10 metro areas compared
At $20,650, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 41.4% beneath the national figure of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $20,650, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 41.4% beneath the national figure of $35,230. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $16,050 and $29,820. The lowest tenth earn under $15,430, while the highest tenth earn more than $44,210.
Employment stands at 3,700, or 12.5 jobs per thousand held locally. San Antonio leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $28,110. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 402nd of 404 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,430 | −56.2% |
| 25th | $16,050 | −54.4% |
| Median (50th) | $20,650 | −41.4% |
| 75th | $29,820 | −15.4% |
| 90th | $44,210 | +25.5% |
| Mean | $25,330 | −28.1% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Antonio | $28,110 | 20,320 | |
| 2 | Austin | $27,260 | 19,170 | |
| 3 | Sherman | $26,290 | 780 | |
| 4 | Dallas | $24,160 | 53,460 | |
| 5 | Midland | $23,700 | 1,560 | |
| 6 | Texarkana | $23,330 | 970 | |
| 7 | Waco | $23,010 | 1,680 | |
| 8 | Wichita Falls | $22,980 | 840 | |
| 9 | Killeen | $22,910 | 1,900 | |
| 10 | Corpus Christi | $22,820 | 3,390 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in McAllen run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $20,650 goes as far as $21,267 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 39.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$20,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$21,267US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $20,650 a year, 41.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $15,430 to $44,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,700 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Antonio, at $28,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in McAllen, TX?
The median annual wage is $20,650, or $9.93 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 McAllen, TX is 41.4% 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 McAllen, TX earns more than $44,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $15,430 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 San Antonio, at $28,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,700 jobs in this occupation in McAllen, TX. 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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