Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Arizona
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$30,580
- 25th Percentile — Junior$33,850
- 50th Percentile — Median$43,950
- 75th Percentile — Senior$63,020
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,920
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Arizona earn more than $43,950. The top 10% make $78,920 or more, while entry-level workers start around $30,580.
Waiters and Waitresses in Arizona: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Arizona ranks 9th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $51,170 per year (27.7% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 55,950 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Arizona — 2.5% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.18: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in Arizona than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,580; the top 10% earn over $78,920.
- Hourly equivalent: $24.6 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Arizona, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($60,330).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Arizona
Key factors affecting compensation
Arizona's key industries are Technology, Healthcare, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $51,170 on average, placing the state 9th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.99 (U.S. = 1.00), a Arizona salary of $51,170 is roughly equivalent to $51,687 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($54,750), Oregon ($52,400), Maine ($51,260) 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 Arizona
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $60,330/yr Arizona +17.9% vs this role
- Bartenders $54,030/yr Arizona +5.6% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,350/yr Arizona 9.4% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $41,350/yr Arizona 19.2% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $40,070/yr Arizona 21.7% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $39,750/yr Arizona 22.3% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,090/yr Arizona 31.4% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $33,330/yr Arizona 34.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Arizona?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Arizona is $51,170 per year (median $43,950), which is 27.7% above the national average of $40,060.
How does Arizona rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Arizona ranks 9th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Arizona?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Arizona earn about $30,580 per year and the 25th percentile is $33,850.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Arizona?
About $24.6 per hour, based on the $51,170 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Arizona?
BLS counts 55,950 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Arizona (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data