Waiters and Waitresses salary in Missoula, MT
Waiters and Waitresses in the Missoula, MT metro area earn a median of $23,210 a year ($11.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 930 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,890 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 1% lower than the Montana statewide median of $23,370. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Missoula, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,940 | $10.55 |
| 25th percentile | $22,150 | $10.65 |
| Median | $23,210 | $11.16 |
| 75th percentile | $28,660 | $13.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,890 | $20.14 |
| Average (mean) | $27,940 | $13.43 |
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 | $1,934.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $967.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $892.69 |
| Weekly | $446.35 |
| Hourly | $11.16 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $26,380 | 1,200 |
| Helena, MT | $23,020 | 520 |
| Billings, MT | $22,940 | 1,320 |
| Great Falls, MT | $22,270 | 450 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Missoula, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,510 | $14.67 |
| Bartender | $25,990 | $12.49 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Dishwasher | $30,400 | $14.62 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,600 | $11.35 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,470 | $13.69 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $27,210 | $13.08 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Missoula, MT
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 Missoula, MT?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Missoula, MT metro area is $23,210 a year, or $11.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Missoula, MT?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Missoula, MT metro area earn at least $41,890 a year. The top 25% earn $28,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Missoula, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,940 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $22,150 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Missoula, MT?
About 930 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Missoula, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.