Waiters and Waitresses salary in Kentucky
Waiters and Waitresses in Kentucky earn a median of $29,660 a year ($14.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 27,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $16,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,030 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $35,230. Kentucky ranks 33rd 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 $35,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,520 | $7.94 |
| 25th percentile | $18,170 | $8.74 |
| Median | $29,660 | $14.26 |
| 75th percentile | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,030 | $29.82 |
| Average (mean) | $35,410 | $17.02 |
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 | $2,471.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,235.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,140.77 |
| Weekly | $570.38 |
| Hourly | $14.26 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,530 | 17,790 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $34,910 | 5,020 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $30,690 | 1,720 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $30,270 | 760 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,180 | 10,220 |
| Owensboro, KY | $29,790 | 780 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $29,280 | 1,010 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $28,810 | 1,250 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $21,790 | 1,570 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,130 | $13.04 |
| Bartender | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,500 | $11.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,550 | $15.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,100 | $13.03 |
| Dishwasher | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,330 | $12.66 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,840 | $15.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in Kentucky is $29,660 a year, or $14.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $16,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in Kentucky earn at least $62,030 a year. The top 25% earn $45,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16,520 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $18,170 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Kentucky?
About 27,150 waiters and waitresses are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.