Waiters and Waitresses salary in Arkansas
Waiters and Waitresses in Arkansas earn a median of $24,680 a year ($11.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,810 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $35,230. Arkansas ranks 42nd 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 $29,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,040 | $11.08 |
| 25th percentile | $23,430 | $11.26 |
| Median | $24,680 | $11.86 |
| 75th percentile | $30,450 | $14.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,810 | $21.06 |
| Average (mean) | $29,050 | $13.97 |
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 | $2,056.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,028.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $949.23 |
| Weekly | $474.62 |
| Hourly | $11.86 |
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 Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $26,210 | 4,300 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $24,680 | 920 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $24,610 | 5,120 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $24,550 | 8,060 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $23,680 | 1,410 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $23,550 | 1,030 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $23,330 | 970 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,250 | $12.62 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Bartender | $25,090 | $12.06 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,710 | $13.32 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,240 | $14.54 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,760 | $12.87 |
| Dishwasher | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,670 | $13.30 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $31,660 | $15.22 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,510 | $14.67 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in Arkansas is $24,680 a year, or $11.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in Arkansas earn at least $43,810 a year. The top 25% earn $30,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,040 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $23,430 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Arkansas?
About 17,880 waiters and waitresses are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.