SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, AL · 10 metro areas compared
In Tuscaloosa, AL the median wage is $26,930.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Tuscaloosa, AL the median wage is $26,930. That is 23.6% lower than the national median of $35,230. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $21,690 and $28,840. The lowest tenth earn under $16,750, while the highest tenth earn more than $35,820.
The area has 1,650 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.04 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Huntsville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $27,990. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 283rd of 294 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,750 | −52.5% |
| 25th | $21,690 | −38.4% |
| Median (50th) | $26,930 | −23.6% |
| 75th | $28,840 | −18.1% |
| 90th | $35,820 | +1.7% |
| Mean | $28,240 | −19.8% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville | $27,990 | 3,290 | |
| 2 | Birmingham | $27,670 | 7,000 | |
| 3 | Daphne | $27,080 | 3,120 | |
| 4 | Decatur | $27,010 | 670 | |
| 5 | Mobile | $26,860 | 2,510 | |
| 6 | Auburn | $26,470 | 1,310 | |
| 7 | Montgomery | $26,360 | 2,300 | |
| 8 | Florence | $25,990 | 1,100 | |
| 9 | Anniston | $24,640 | 600 | |
| 10 | Dothan | $24,520 | 960 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Tuscaloosa run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $26,930 goes as far as $30,327 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,327US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,930 a year, 23.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $16,750 to $35,820 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,650 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Huntsville, at $27,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median annual wage is $26,930, or $12.95 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 Tuscaloosa, AL is 23.6% 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 Tuscaloosa, AL earns more than $35,820 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $16,750 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 Huntsville, at $27,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,650 jobs in this occupation in Tuscaloosa, AL. 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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