Waiters and Waitresses salary in Montana
Waiters and Waitresses in Montana earn a median of $23,370 a year ($11.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,420 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $35,230. Montana ranks 44th 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 $29,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,940 | $10.55 |
| 25th percentile | $22,290 | $10.72 |
| Median | $23,370 | $11.23 |
| 75th percentile | $28,960 | $13.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Average (mean) | $29,180 | $14.03 |
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 | $1,947.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $973.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $898.85 |
| Weekly | $449.42 |
| Hourly | $11.23 |
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 Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $26,380 | 1,200 |
| Missoula, MT | $23,210 | 930 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,090 | $13.98 |
| Bartender | $26,010 | $12.51 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,090 | $15.43 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Dishwasher | $30,130 | $14.49 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,510 | $13.23 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,770 | $12.87 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,470 | $27.63 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| Cooks, All Other | $42,640 | $20.50 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in Montana is $23,370 a year, or $11.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Montana?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in Montana earn at least $45,420 a year. The top 25% earn $28,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,940 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $22,290 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Montana?
About 7,200 waiters and waitresses are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.