Waiters and Waitresses salary in Birmingham, AL
Waiters and Waitresses in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $27,670 a year ($13.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $16,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,540 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 3% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $26,840. There are 13 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,840 | $8.09 |
| 25th percentile | $21,160 | $10.17 |
| Median | $27,670 | $13.31 |
| 75th percentile | $29,810 | $14.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Average (mean) | $27,870 | $13.40 |
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 | $2,305.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,152.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,064.23 |
| Weekly | $532.12 |
| Hourly | $13.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $27,990 | 3,290 |
| 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 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,020 | $12.99 |
| Bartender | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,340 | $16.51 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,220 | $13.09 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,440 | $12.71 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,320 | $11.21 |
| Dishwasher | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $23,160 | $11.14 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $30,840 | $14.83 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $27,670 a year, or $13.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $16,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $36,540 a year. The top 25% earn $29,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16,840 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $21,160 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Birmingham, AL?
About 7,000 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.