SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Waco
Waco, TX · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay in Waco, TX is $23,010 a year, 34.7% under the national median of $35,230 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Waco, TX is $23,010 a year, 34.7% under the national median of $35,230 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $17,570 and $36,870. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $16,790 and the ninetieth at $48,430.
The area has 1,680 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 12.9 of every thousand jobs. San Antonio leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $28,110. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 337th of 340 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,790 | −52.3% |
| 25th | $17,570 | −50.1% |
| Median (50th) | $23,010 | −34.7% |
| 75th | $36,870 | +4.7% |
| 90th | $48,430 | +37.5% |
| Mean | $29,240 | −17.0% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Antonio | $28,110 | 20,320 | |
| 2 | Austin | $27,260 | 19,170 | |
| 3 | Sherman | $26,290 | 780 | |
| 4 | Dallas | $24,160 | 53,460 | |
| 5 | Midland | $23,700 | 1,560 | |
| 6 | Texarkana | $23,330 | 970 | |
| 7 | Wichita Falls | $22,980 | 840 | |
| 8 | Killeen | $22,910 | 1,900 | |
| 9 | Corpus Christi | $22,820 | 3,390 | |
| 10 | College Station | $22,800 | 2,410 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Waco run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $23,010 goes as far as $23,697 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 32.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$23,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$23,697US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $23,010 a year, 34.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $16,790 to $48,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,680 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Antonio, at $28,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Waco, TX?
The median annual wage is $23,010, or $11.06 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 Waco, TX is 34.7% 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 Waco, TX earns more than $48,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $16,790 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 San Antonio, at $28,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,680 jobs in this occupation in Waco, TX. 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