SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, OK · 3 metro areas compared
At $18,200, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 48.3% beneath the national figure of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $18,200, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 48.3% beneath the national figure of $35,230. Pay ranges from under $15,230 at the tenth percentile to more than $59,150 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $16,880 to $30,190.
The area has 11,560 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.17 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Tulsa records the highest median at $18,350. Of the 585 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 585th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,230 | −56.8% |
| 25th | $16,880 | −52.1% |
| Median (50th) | $18,200 | −48.3% |
| 75th | $30,190 | −14.3% |
| 90th | $59,150 | +67.9% |
| Mean | $28,120 | −20.2% |
Other metro areas in Oklahoma
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Oklahoma City run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $18,200 goes as far as $20,729 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 41.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$18,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$20,729US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $18,200 a year, 48.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $15,230 to $59,150 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 11,560 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Tulsa, at $18,350.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Oklahoma City, OK?
The median annual wage is $18,200, or $8.75 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 Oklahoma City, OK is 48.3% 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 Oklahoma City, OK earns more than $59,150 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $15,230 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 Tulsa, at $18,350 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 11,560 jobs in this occupation in Oklahoma City, OK. 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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