Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Tennessee
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$15,080
- 25th Percentile — Junior$16,790
- 50th Percentile — Median$27,760
- 75th Percentile — Senior$37,380
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$47,660
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Tennessee earn more than $27,760. The top 10% make $47,660 or more, while entry-level workers start around $15,080.
Waiters and Waitresses in Tennessee: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Tennessee ranks 43rd of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $29,070 per year (27.4% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 52,120 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Tennessee — 2.3% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.09: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $15,080; the top 10% earn over $47,660.
- Hourly equivalent: $13.98 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Tennessee, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($70,710).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation
Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $29,070 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $29,070 is roughly equivalent to $33,034 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Dakota ($30,860), Minnesota ($30,060), Texas ($29,750) 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 Tennessee
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $70,710/yr Tennessee +143.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $44,720/yr Tennessee +53.8% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,530/yr Tennessee +25.7% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $35,260/yr Tennessee +21.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $31,180/yr Tennessee +7.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,680/yr Tennessee +2.1% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,480/yr Tennessee +1.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,870/yr Tennessee 4.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Tennessee?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Tennessee is $29,070 per year (median $27,760), which is 27.4% below the national average of $40,060.
How does Tennessee rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Tennessee ranks 43rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Tennessee?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Tennessee earn about $15,080 per year and the 25th percentile is $16,790.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Tennessee?
About $13.98 per hour, based on the $29,070 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Tennessee?
BLS counts 52,120 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).
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