Waiters and Waitresses salary in Kansas
Waiters and Waitresses in Kansas earn a median of $36,120 a year ($17.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $17,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,890 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $35,230. Kansas ranks 21st of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,370 | $8.35 |
| 25th percentile | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Median | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| 75th percentile | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,890 | $30.24 |
| Average (mean) | $39,170 | $18.83 |
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 | $3,010 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,505 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,389.23 |
| Weekly | $694.62 |
| Hourly | $17.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in cities in Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS | $37,300 | 4,570 |
| Lawrence, KS | $37,230 | 1,190 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,080 | 16,540 |
| Topeka, KS | $35,090 | 1,330 |
| Manhattan, KS | $33,140 | 940 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $30,490 | 600 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Bartender | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,280 | $14.56 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,110 | $13.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,300 | $12.65 |
| Dishwasher | $28,060 | $13.49 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,400 | $13.17 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in Kansas is $36,120 a year, or $17.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Kansas?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in Kansas earn at least $62,890 a year. The top 25% earn $47,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,370 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $26,830 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Kansas?
About 19,480 waiters and waitresses are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.