Waiters and Waitresses salary in Lawrence, KS
Waiters and Waitresses in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn a median of $37,230 a year ($17.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,290 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 3% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $36,120. There are 23 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Lawrence, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,980 | $9.61 |
| 25th percentile | $27,950 | $13.44 |
| Median | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| 75th percentile | $59,010 | $28.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,290 | $31.39 |
| Average (mean) | $42,210 | $20.29 |
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 | $3,102.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,551.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,431.92 |
| Weekly | $715.96 |
| Hourly | $17.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS | $37,300 | 4,570 |
| 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 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lawrence, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Bartender | $29,980 | $14.41 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $26,550 | $12.77 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,140 | $16.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,350 | $15.07 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,080 | $17.34 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,620 | $10.88 |
| Dishwasher | $27,590 | $13.26 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $44,700 | $21.49 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lawrence, KS
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 Lawrence, KS?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Lawrence, KS metro area is $37,230 a year, or $17.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Lawrence, KS?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn at least $65,290 a year. The top 25% earn $59,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Lawrence, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,980 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $27,950 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Lawrence, KS?
About 1,190 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Lawrence, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.