Waiter Salary in Memphis, TN
Updated
The median waiter in the Memphis area earns $24,550 a year ($11.80 an hour), 30% below the U.S. median ($35,230) and 12% below the Tennessee median ($27,760). Half of the 8,060 waiters there earn between $17,510 and $36,420.
Median $24,550
10th: $15,08090th: $47,480
| Annual pay | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $15,080 | $15,080 | $18,100 |
| 25th percentile | $17,510 | $16,790 | $27,750 |
| Median | $24,550 | $27,760 | $35,230 |
| 75th percentile | $36,420 | $37,380 | $47,110 |
| 90th percentile | $47,480 | $47,660 | $64,720 |
| Average | $28,120 | $29,070 | $40,060 |
| Jobs | 8,060 | 52,120 | 2,270,910 |
Memphis, TN ranks 46th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for waiter pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($57,280).
Paid less than $24,550? That gap, with its source, is the strongest line in a raise request. Check your pay for your level in 30 seconds. Free, no sign-up.
Check my payWaiter pay in other cities
- Nashville, TN: $29,390
- Seattle, WA: $57,280
- Portland, OR: $54,780
- New York, NY: $47,610
- Phoenix, AZ: $47,530
- Buffalo, NY: $46,580
- Washington, DC: $46,040
- Grand Rapids, MI: $42,930
- All cities
Similar jobs in Memphis, TN
- Fast Food Worker: $27,490
- Bartender: $28,710
- Restaurant Cook: $36,340
- Food Service Supervisor: $39,620
- Food Preparation Worker: $27,290
- All jobs in Memphis, TN
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.