Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Texas
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$17,070
- 25th Percentile — Junior$17,950
- 50th Percentile — Median$23,240
- 75th Percentile — Senior$37,230
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$47,590
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Texas earn more than $23,240. The top 10% make $47,590 or more, while entry-level workers start around $17,070.
Waiters and Waitresses in Texas: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Texas ranks 41st of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $29,750 per year (25.7% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 199,610 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Texas — 8.8% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.97: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Texas than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $17,070; the top 10% earn over $47,590.
- Hourly equivalent: $14.3 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Texas, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($59,350).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Texas
Key factors affecting compensation
Texas's key industries are Energy, Technology, Healthcare, and its job market is rated strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $29,750 on average, placing the state 41st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Texas salary of $29,750 is roughly equivalent to $31,316 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Indiana ($31,170), Wyoming ($31,120), South Dakota ($30,860) 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 Texas
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $59,350/yr Texas +99.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $41,100/yr Texas +38.2% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $34,870/yr Texas +17.2% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $33,370/yr Texas +12.2% vs this role
- Bartenders $32,640/yr Texas +9.7% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,680/yr Texas 0.2% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,750/yr Texas 6.7% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $24,390/yr Texas 18.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Texas?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Texas is $29,750 per year (median $23,240), which is 25.7% below the national average of $40,060.
How does Texas rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Texas ranks 41st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Texas?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Texas earn about $17,070 per year and the 25th percentile is $17,950.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Texas?
About $14.3 per hour, based on the $29,750 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Texas?
BLS counts 199,610 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Texas (OEWS May 2025).
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