Waiters and Waitresses salary in Alabama
Waiters and Waitresses in Alabama earn a median of $26,840 a year ($12.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 28,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $16,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,090 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $35,230. Alabama ranks 38th of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,550 | $7.96 |
| 25th percentile | $20,320 | $9.77 |
| Median | $26,840 | $12.91 |
| 75th percentile | $28,900 | $13.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Average (mean) | $27,200 | $13.08 |
Half of waiters and waitresses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,236.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,118.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,032.31 |
| Weekly | $516.15 |
| Hourly | $12.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $27,990 | 3,290 |
| Birmingham, AL | $27,670 | 7,000 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $27,080 | 3,120 |
| Decatur, AL | $27,010 | 670 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $26,930 | 1,650 |
| Mobile, AL | $26,860 | 2,510 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $26,470 | 1,310 |
| Montgomery, AL | $26,360 | 2,300 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $25,990 | 1,100 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $24,640 | 600 |
| Dothan, AL | $24,520 | 960 |
| Gadsden, AL | $24,030 | 560 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $20,800 | 2,080 |
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 |
| Vermont | $59,140 |
| Washington | $56,130 |
| Oregon | $48,410 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 |
| Colorado | $44,860 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Arizona | $43,950 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,700 | $11.40 |
| Bartender | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,930 | $13.43 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,120 | $13.04 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,130 | $12.56 |
| Dishwasher | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,470 | $10.80 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $22,330 | $10.74 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $22,990 | $11.05 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiters and waitresses make in Alabama?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in Alabama is $26,840 a year, or $12.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $16,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Alabama?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in Alabama earn at least $36,090 a year. The top 25% earn $28,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16,550 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $20,320 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Alabama?
About 28,760 waiters and waitresses are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.