Waiters and Waitresses salary in Hattiesburg, MS
Waiters and Waitresses in the Hattiesburg, MS metro area earn a median of $21,830 a year ($10.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,220 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 2% higher than the Mississippi statewide median of $21,370. There are 16 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $24,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Hattiesburg, MS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| 25th percentile | $15,540 | $7.47 |
| Median | $21,830 | $10.49 |
| 75th percentile | $28,440 | $13.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,220 | $18.85 |
| Average (mean) | $24,390 | $11.73 |
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 | $1,819.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $909.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $839.62 |
| Weekly | $419.81 |
| Hourly | $10.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $24,550 | 8,060 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $22,600 | 3,910 |
| Jackson, MS | $21,440 | 2,750 |
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 Mississippi statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hattiesburg, MS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,550 | $10.84 |
| Bartender | $26,360 | $12.67 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $25,970 | $12.48 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,470 | $11.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,750 | $16.71 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,270 | $13.59 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,260 | $12.62 |
| Dishwasher | $26,180 | $12.59 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $21,230 | $10.21 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $54,870 | $26.38 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Hattiesburg, MS
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 Hattiesburg, MS?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Hattiesburg, MS metro area is $21,830 a year, or $10.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Hattiesburg, MS?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Hattiesburg, MS metro area earn at least $39,220 a year. The top 25% earn $28,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Hattiesburg, MS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,080 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $15,540 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Hattiesburg, MS?
About 1,010 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Hattiesburg, MS metro area, not counting the self-employed.