Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Montana
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$21,940
- 25th Percentile — Junior$22,290
- 50th Percentile — Median$23,370
- 75th Percentile — Senior$28,960
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$45,420
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Montana earn more than $23,370. The top 10% make $45,420 or more, while entry-level workers start around $21,940.
Waiters and Waitresses in Montana: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Montana ranks 42nd of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $29,180 per year (27.2% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 7,200 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Montana — 0.3% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.96: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $21,940; the top 10% earn over $45,420.
- Hourly equivalent: $14.03 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Montana, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($61,580).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Montana
Key factors affecting compensation
Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $29,180 on average, placing the state 42nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $29,180 is roughly equivalent to $30,716 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Wyoming ($31,120), South Dakota ($30,860), Minnesota ($30,060) 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 Montana
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $61,580/yr Montana +111.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,280/yr Montana +58.6% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $38,980/yr Montana +33.6% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $38,950/yr Montana +33.5% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $30,260/yr Montana +3.7% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,120/yr Montana +3.2% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,340/yr Montana +0.5% vs this role
- Bartenders $27,210/yr Montana 6.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Montana?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Montana is $29,180 per year (median $23,370), which is 27.2% below the national average of $40,060.
How does Montana rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Montana ranks 42nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Montana?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Montana earn about $21,940 per year and the 25th percentile is $22,290.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Montana?
About $14.03 per hour, based on the $29,180 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Montana?
BLS counts 7,200 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).
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