Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Idaho
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$16,770
- 25th Percentile — Junior$18,040
- 50th Percentile — Median$30,050
- 75th Percentile — Senior$46,390
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$62,220
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Idaho earn more than $30,050. The top 10% make $62,220 or more, while entry-level workers start around $16,770.
Waiters and Waitresses in Idaho: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Idaho ranks 34th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $35,320 per year (11.8% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 10,950 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Idaho — 0.5% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.87: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Idaho than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $16,770; the top 10% earn over $62,220.
- Hourly equivalent: $16.98 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Idaho, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($57,390).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Idaho
Key factors affecting compensation
Idaho's key industries are Technology, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $35,320 on average, placing the state 34th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.93 (U.S. = 1.00), a Idaho salary of $35,320 is roughly equivalent to $37,978 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nevada ($36,870), North Dakota ($36,250), Illinois ($35,610) 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 Idaho
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $57,390/yr Idaho +62.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,400/yr Idaho +20.0% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,970/yr Idaho +4.7% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $36,160/yr Idaho +2.4% vs this role
- Bartenders $32,670/yr Idaho 7.5% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,060/yr Idaho 17.7% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,630/yr Idaho 18.9% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,800/yr Idaho 21.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Idaho?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Idaho is $35,320 per year (median $30,050), which is 11.8% below the national average of $40,060.
How does Idaho rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Idaho ranks 34th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Idaho?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Idaho earn about $16,770 per year and the 25th percentile is $18,040.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Idaho?
About $16.98 per hour, based on the $35,320 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Idaho?
BLS counts 10,950 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Idaho (OEWS May 2025).
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