Waiters and Waitresses salary in Columbia, MO
Waiters and Waitresses in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $29,250 a year ($14.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,960 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 1% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $29,400. There are 20 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Median | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| 75th percentile | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Average (mean) | $36,910 | $17.75 |
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 | $2,437.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,218.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,125 |
| Weekly | $562.50 |
| Hourly | $14.06 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,080 | 16,540 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $31,200 | 20,170 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $30,490 | 600 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $30,280 | 820 |
| Springfield, MO | $29,350 | 3,050 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $28,710 | 820 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,600 | 1,220 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| Bartender | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,110 | $13.99 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,860 | $14.35 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Dishwasher | $30,780 | $14.80 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $52,870 | $25.42 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,260 | $16.95 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Columbia, MO metro area is $29,250 a year, or $14.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $58,960 a year. The top 25% earn $37,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $28,600 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Columbia, MO?
About 2,120 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.