SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Mississippi
Mississippi · 3 metro areas compared
At $21,370, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 39.3% beneath the national figure of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $21,370, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 39.3% beneath the national figure of $35,230. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $16,210 and $29,300. The lowest tenth earn under $15,330, while the highest tenth earn more than $39,420.
Employment stands at 15,190, or 13.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Mississippi ranks 46th by median wage. 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 673rd of 673 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,330 | −56.5% |
| 25th | $16,210 | −54.0% |
| Median (50th) | $21,370 | −39.3% |
| 75th | $29,300 | −16.8% |
| 90th | $39,420 | +11.9% |
| Mean | $24,680 | −29.9% |
Highest-paying 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 Mississippi run 13.0% below the national average, so the median of $21,370 goes as far as $24,563 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 30.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$21,370as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$24,563US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $21,370 a year, 39.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $15,330 to $39,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 15,190 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 46th of 51 states for 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 Mississippi?
The median annual wage is $21,370, or $10.27 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 Mississippi is 39.3% 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 Mississippi earns more than $39,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $15,330 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 15,190 jobs in this occupation in Mississippi. 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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