SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Southwest Missouri
Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
In Southwest Missouri, MO the median wage is $29,080.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Southwest Missouri, MO the median wage is $29,080. That is 17.5% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay ranges from under $28,600 at the tenth percentile to more than $57,280 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $28,600 to $45,860.
Employment stands at 2,000, or 25.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Kansas City records the highest median at $36,080. Of the 259 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 254th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,600 | −18.8% |
| 25th | $28,600 | −18.8% |
| Median (50th) | $29,080 | −17.5% |
| 75th | $45,860 | +30.2% |
| 90th | $57,280 | +62.6% |
| Mean | $37,740 | +7.1% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $36,080 | 16,540 | |
| 2 | St. Louis | $31,200 | 20,170 | |
| 3 | St. Joseph | $30,490 | 600 | |
| 4 | Jefferson City | $30,280 | 820 | |
| 5 | Springfield | $29,350 | 3,050 | |
| 6 | Columbia | $29,250 | 2,120 | |
| 7 | Cape Girardeau | $28,710 | 820 | |
| 8 | Joplin | $28,600 | 1,220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $29,080 goes as far as $32,026 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,026US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,080 a year, 17.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,600 to $57,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,000 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kansas City, at $36,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Southwest Missouri, MO?
The median annual wage is $29,080, or $13.98 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 Missouri, MO is 17.5% 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 Missouri, MO earns more than $57,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,600 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 Kansas City, at $36,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,000 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Missouri, MO. 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.
Explore related data