SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Southwest Minnesota
Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Southwest Minnesota, MN is $23,460 per year, substantially below the national median of $35,230 — a gap of 33.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Southwest Minnesota, MN is $23,460 per year, substantially below the national median of $35,230 — a gap of 33.4%. Pay ranges from under $23,150 at the tenth percentile to more than $38,560 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $23,150 to $29,600.
The area has 1,160 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 9.8 of every thousand jobs. Minneapolis leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $25,920. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 331st of 331 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,150 | −34.3% |
| 25th | $23,150 | −34.3% |
| Median (50th) | $23,460 | −33.4% |
| 75th | $29,600 | −16.0% |
| 90th | $38,560 | +9.5% |
| Mean | $28,150 | −20.1% |
Other metro areas in Minnesota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $25,920 | 25,620 | |
| 2 | Rochester | $24,060 | 1,620 | |
| 3 | St. Cloud | $23,520 | 1,070 | |
| 4 | Mankato | $23,330 | 770 | |
| 5 | Duluth | $23,150 | 2,100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Minnesota sit close to the national average, so $23,460 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$23,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$23,793US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $23,460 a year, 33.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,150 to $38,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,160 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Minneapolis, at $25,920.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Southwest Minnesota, MN?
The median annual wage is $23,460, or $11.28 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 Southwest Minnesota, MN is 33.4% 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 Southwest Minnesota, MN earns more than $38,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,150 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 Minneapolis, at $25,920 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,160 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Minnesota, MN. 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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