Waiters and Waitresses salary in Bismarck, ND
Waiters and Waitresses in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn a median of $32,310 a year ($15.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,320 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 5% higher than the North Dakota statewide median of $30,890. There are 13 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Bismarck, ND
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,590 | $8.94 |
| 25th percentile | $22,890 | $11.01 |
| Median | $32,310 | $15.53 |
| 75th percentile | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,320 | $29.48 |
| Average (mean) | $37,330 | $17.95 |
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 | $2,692.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,346.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,242.69 |
| Weekly | $621.35 |
| Hourly | $15.53 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minot, ND | $30,930 | 440 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $30,330 | 2,020 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $27,820 | 820 |
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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bismarck, ND
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| Bartender | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,190 | $21.72 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,300 | $13.61 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,310 | $15.05 |
| Dishwasher | $32,180 | $15.47 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Bismarck, ND
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 Bismarck, ND?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Bismarck, ND metro area is $32,310 a year, or $15.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Bismarck, ND?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn at least $61,320 a year. The top 25% earn $46,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Bismarck, ND?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,590 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $22,890 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Bismarck, ND?
About 950 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Bismarck, ND metro area, not counting the self-employed.