Waiters and Waitresses salary in North Dakota
Waiters and Waitresses in North Dakota earn a median of $30,890 a year ($14.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,570 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $35,230. North Dakota ranks 30th of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay. There are 12 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,470 | $8.88 |
| 25th percentile | $21,930 | $10.55 |
| Median | $30,890 | $14.85 |
| 75th percentile | $44,960 | $21.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,570 | $29.12 |
| Average (mean) | $36,250 | $17.43 |
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 | $2,574.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,287.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,188.08 |
| Weekly | $594.04 |
| Hourly | $14.85 |
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 North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $32,310 | 950 |
| Minot, ND | $30,930 | 440 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $30,330 | 2,020 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $27,820 | 820 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Bartender | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,910 | $17.75 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,490 | $18.99 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,010 | $14.91 |
| Dishwasher | $29,980 | $14.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,660 | $13.78 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,220 | $14.53 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $74,740 | $35.93 |
| Cooks, All Other | $44,190 | $21.25 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $23,410 | $11.25 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in North Dakota is $30,890 a year, or $14.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in North Dakota earn at least $60,570 a year. The top 25% earn $44,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,470 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $21,930 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in North Dakota?
About 5,250 waiters and waitresses are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.