Waiters and Waitresses salary in Minnesota
Waiters and Waitresses in Minnesota earn a median of $25,470 a year ($12.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 37,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,800 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $35,230. Minnesota ranks 41st of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay. There are 13 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,150 | $11.13 |
| 25th percentile | $23,370 | $11.24 |
| Median | $25,470 | $12.25 |
| 75th percentile | $31,940 | $15.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,800 | $20.10 |
| Average (mean) | $30,060 | $14.45 |
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 | $2,122.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,061.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $979.62 |
| Weekly | $489.81 |
| Hourly | $12.25 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $30,330 | 2,020 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,370 | $15.08 |
| Bartender | $26,900 | $12.93 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,270 | $21.77 |
| Dishwasher | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,460 | $20.90 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,210 | $14.04 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,120 | $16.41 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Cooks, All Other | $36,850 | $17.72 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in Minnesota is $25,470 a year, or $12.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in Minnesota earn at least $41,800 a year. The top 25% earn $31,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,150 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $23,370 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Minnesota?
About 37,630 waiters and waitresses are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.