Wisconsin Median
$29,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $35,230
State Rank
#32 of 51
36,220 employed here
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make in Wisconsin?
Waiters and Waitresses working in Wisconsin earn a median salary of $29,670 per year, or about $14.26 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $35,230 for this occupation.
Within Wisconsin, entry-level pay starts around $16,830 while the top 10% make $61,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $21,000 and $43,150 a year.
Waiters and Waitresses salary range in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,830 | $8.09 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $21,000 | $10.10 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $29,670 | $14.26 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $43,150 | $20.75 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,770 | $29.70 |
|
How Wisconsin compares
Wisconsin ranks 32nd 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 $30,050Kentucky $29,660Missouri $29,400South Dakota $28,990Indiana $28,480Tennessee $27,760Alabama $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 Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin pay ($29,670) 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 Wisconsin?
The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Wisconsin is $29,670 per year, or about $14.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $16,830 at the entry level to $61,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Wisconsin pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin pays Waiters and Waitresses about 16% less than the national median of $35,230. Wisconsin ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Wisconsin a good state for Waiters and Waitresses?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $29,670 a year. About 36,220 Waiters and Waitresses are employed in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin?
The highest-paying occupations in Wisconsin include Cardiologist ($636,580), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($572,060), Anesthesiologist ($443,990), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Waiters and Waitresses salary report
Related salaries
$37,390
median pay · 1,410,000 employed
$35,360
median pay · 294,000 employed
$34,340
median pay · 756,000 employed
$33,980
median pay · 543,000 employed
$35,880
median pay · 139,000 employed
$34,810
median pay · 477,000 employed
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.