Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Minnesota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$23,150
- 25th Percentile — Junior$23,370
- 50th Percentile — Median$25,470
- 75th Percentile — Senior$31,940
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$41,800
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Minnesota earn more than $25,470. The top 10% make $41,800 or more, while entry-level workers start around $23,150.
Waiters and Waitresses in Minnesota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Minnesota ranks 40th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $30,060 per year (25.0% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 37,630 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Minnesota — 1.7% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.87: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Minnesota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $23,150; the top 10% earn over $41,800.
- Hourly equivalent: $14.45 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Minnesota, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($66,910).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Minnesota
Key factors affecting compensation
Minnesota's key industries are Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $30,060 on average, placing the state 40th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.0 (U.S. = 1.00), a Minnesota salary of $30,060 is roughly equivalent to $30,060 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($33,640), Indiana ($31,170), Wyoming ($31,120) 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 Minnesota
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $66,910/yr Minnesota +122.6% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $47,840/yr Minnesota +59.1% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $43,050/yr Minnesota +43.2% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $40,210/yr Minnesota +33.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $34,010/yr Minnesota +13.1% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $32,450/yr Minnesota +8.0% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $30,730/yr Minnesota +2.2% vs this role
- Bartenders $30,680/yr Minnesota +2.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Minnesota?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Minnesota is $30,060 per year (median $25,470), which is 25.0% below the national average of $40,060.
How does Minnesota rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Minnesota ranks 40th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Minnesota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Minnesota earn about $23,150 per year and the 25th percentile is $23,370.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Minnesota?
About $14.45 per hour, based on the $30,060 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Minnesota?
BLS counts 37,630 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Minnesota (OEWS May 2025).
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