Waiters and Waitresses salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Waiters and Waitresses in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $30,330 a year ($14.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,910 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Dakota statewide median of $30,890. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,470 | $8.88 |
| 25th percentile | $22,840 | $10.98 |
| Median | $30,330 | $14.58 |
| 75th percentile | $42,740 | $20.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Average (mean) | $36,080 | $17.34 |
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 | $2,527.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,263.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,166.54 |
| Weekly | $583.27 |
| Hourly | $14.58 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $32,310 | 950 |
| Minot, ND | $30,930 | 440 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $29,920 | 2,550 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $28,380 | 1,270 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $27,820 | 820 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $25,920 | 25,620 |
| Rochester, MN | $24,060 | 1,620 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $23,520 | 1,070 |
| Mankato, MN | $23,330 | 770 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $23,150 | 2,100 |
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 Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,950 | $14.88 |
| Bartender | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,480 | $21.38 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $41,120 | $19.77 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,290 | $14.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Dishwasher | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,710 | $14.29 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $54,390 | $26.15 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Fargo, ND-MN
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $30,330 a year, or $14.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $59,910 a year. The top 25% earn $42,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,470 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $22,840 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 2,020 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.