Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Wisconsin
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$16,830
- 25th Percentile — Junior$21,000
- 50th Percentile — Median$29,670
- 75th Percentile — Senior$43,150
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$61,770
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Wisconsin earn more than $29,670. The top 10% make $61,770 or more, while entry-level workers start around $16,830.
Waiters and Waitresses in Wisconsin: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Wisconsin ranks 35th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $34,570 per year (13.7% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 36,220 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Wisconsin — 1.6% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.84: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Wisconsin than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $16,830; the top 10% earn over $61,770.
- Hourly equivalent: $16.62 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Wisconsin, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($64,210).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Wisconsin
Key factors affecting compensation
Wisconsin's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $34,570 on average, placing the state 35th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.92 (U.S. = 1.00), a Wisconsin salary of $34,570 is roughly equivalent to $37,576 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Dakota ($36,250), Illinois ($35,610), Kentucky ($35,410) 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 Wisconsin
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $64,210/yr Wisconsin +85.7% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $43,660/yr Wisconsin +26.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $39,860/yr Wisconsin +15.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,690/yr Wisconsin +6.1% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,310/yr Wisconsin 15.2% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,110/yr Wisconsin 15.8% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,510/yr Wisconsin 20.4% vs this role
- Bartenders $26,970/yr Wisconsin 22.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Wisconsin?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Wisconsin is $34,570 per year (median $29,670), which is 13.7% below the national average of $40,060.
How does Wisconsin rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Wisconsin ranks 35th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Wisconsin?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Wisconsin earn about $16,830 per year and the 25th percentile is $21,000.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Wisconsin?
About $16.62 per hour, based on the $34,570 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Wisconsin?
BLS counts 36,220 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Wisconsin (OEWS May 2025).
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