Tennessee Median
$27,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $35,230
State Rank
#37 of 51
52,120 employed here
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make in Tennessee?
Waiters and Waitresses in Tennessee take home a median of $27,760 annually — roughly $13.35 an hour — which runs 21% below the national median of $35,230.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $15,080 while the top 10% make $47,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $16,790 and $37,380 a year.
Waiters and Waitresses salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $16,790 | $8.07 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $27,760 | $13.35 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $37,380 | $17.97 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,660 | $22.91 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories for Waiters and Waitresses pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other states
Hawaii $62,390Vermont $59,140Washington $56,130Oregon $48,410District of Columbia $47,850New York $47,020New Jersey $44,960Colorado $44,860Virginia $44,760Arizona $43,950Maine $43,370Massachusetts $38,460New Hampshire $38,430Connecticut $37,770Michigan $37,760New Mexico $36,920Delaware $36,880Maryland $36,750Ohio $36,700Florida $36,150Kansas $36,120California $36,080Rhode Island $35,420West Virginia $35,380Pennsylvania $34,690Nebraska $33,770North Carolina $32,150Illinois $31,200Utah $31,150North Dakota $30,890Idaho $30,050Wisconsin $29,670Kentucky $29,660Missouri $29,400South Dakota $28,990Indiana $28,480Alabama $26,840Nevada $26,410Alaska $26,310Minnesota $25,470Arkansas $24,680Wyoming $23,920Montana $23,370Texas $23,240Mississippi $21,370Iowa $21,000Georgia $18,700South Carolina $18,370Oklahoma $17,910Louisiana $15,080
Working as Waiters and Waitresses in Tennessee
Nationally, about 2,271,000 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($27,760) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make in Tennessee?
The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Tennessee is $27,760 per year, or about $13.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $15,080 at the entry level to $47,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Waiters and Waitresses about 21% less than the national median of $35,230. Tennessee ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Waiters and Waitresses?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $27,760 a year. About 52,120 Waiters and Waitresses are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Waiters and Waitresses salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.