Waiters and Waitresses salary in Mississippi
Waiters and Waitresses in Mississippi earn a median of $21,370 a year ($10.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,420 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $35,230. Mississippi ranks 46th 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 $24,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Mississippi
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,330 | $7.37 |
| 25th percentile | $16,210 | $7.79 |
| Median | $21,370 | $10.27 |
| 75th percentile | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| Average (mean) | $24,680 | $11.87 |
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 | $1,780.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $890.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $821.92 |
| Weekly | $410.96 |
| Hourly | $10.27 |
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 Mississippi
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $24,550 | 8,060 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $22,600 | 3,910 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $21,830 | 1,010 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Mississippi
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,610 | $10.87 |
| Bartender | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,670 | $10.90 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,530 | $17.56 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $26,240 | $12.61 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,390 | $13.17 |
| Dishwasher | $26,300 | $12.64 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $21,990 | $10.57 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,180 | $11.15 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $54,850 | $26.37 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $30,600 | $14.71 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in Mississippi is $21,370 a year, or $10.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Mississippi?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in Mississippi earn at least $39,420 a year. The top 25% earn $29,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Mississippi?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,330 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $16,210 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Mississippi?
About 15,190 waiters and waitresses are employed in Mississippi, not counting the self-employed.