Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Alabama
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$16,550
- 25th Percentile — Junior$20,320
- 50th Percentile — Median$26,840
- 75th Percentile — Senior$28,900
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$36,090
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Alabama earn more than $26,840. The top 10% make $36,090 or more, while entry-level workers start around $16,550.
Waiters and Waitresses in Alabama: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Alabama ranks 45th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $27,200 per year (32.1% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 28,760 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Alabama — 1.3% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.93: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Alabama than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $16,550; the top 10% earn over $36,090.
- Hourly equivalent: $13.08 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Alabama, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($63,720).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Alabama
Key factors affecting compensation
Alabama's key industries are Automotive, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $27,200 on average, placing the state 45th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a Alabama salary of $27,200 is roughly equivalent to $31,264 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Texas ($29,750), Montana ($29,180), Tennessee ($29,070) are the closest alternatives for Waiters and Waitresses weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Alabama
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $63,720/yr Alabama +134.3% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $40,620/yr Alabama +49.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $33,000/yr Alabama +21.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $32,220/yr Alabama +18.5% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $27,870/yr Alabama +2.5% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $27,570/yr Alabama +1.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $25,600/yr Alabama 5.9% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $24,330/yr Alabama 10.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Alabama?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Alabama is $27,200 per year (median $26,840), which is 32.1% below the national average of $40,060.
How does Alabama rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Alabama ranks 45th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Alabama?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Alabama earn about $16,550 per year and the 25th percentile is $20,320.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Alabama?
About $13.08 per hour, based on the $27,200 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Alabama?
BLS counts 28,760 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Alabama (OEWS May 2025).
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