SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Western Wisconsin
Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
At $23,730, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 32.6% beneath the national figure of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $23,730, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 32.6% beneath the national figure of $35,230. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $17,100 and $37,360. The lowest tenth earn under $16,500, while the highest tenth earn more than $60,560.
The area has 1,520 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.82 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Madison leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $30,910. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 345th of 346 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,500 | −53.2% |
| 25th | $17,100 | −51.5% |
| Median (50th) | $23,730 | −32.6% |
| 75th | $37,360 | +6.0% |
| 90th | $60,560 | +71.9% |
| Mean | $31,730 | −9.9% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $23,730 goes as far as $25,218 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 28.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$23,730as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$25,218US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $23,730 a year, 32.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $16,500 to $60,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,520 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Madison, at $30,910.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Western Wisconsin, WI?
The median annual wage is $23,730, or $11.41 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 Western Wisconsin, WI is 32.6% 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 Western Wisconsin, WI earns more than $60,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $16,500 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 Madison, at $30,910 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,520 jobs in this occupation in Western Wisconsin, WI. 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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