Waiters and Waitresses salary in Oklahoma
Waiters and Waitresses in Oklahoma earn a median of $17,910 a year ($8.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 27,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,630 for the top 10%. That is 49% lower than the national median of $35,230. Oklahoma ranks 50th of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay. There are 16 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $25,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Oklahoma
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,230 | $7.32 |
| 25th percentile | $16,550 | $7.96 |
| Median | $17,910 | $8.61 |
| 75th percentile | $28,450 | $13.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Average (mean) | $25,870 | $12.44 |
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 | $1,492.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $746.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $688.85 |
| Weekly | $344.42 |
| Hourly | $8.61 |
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 Oklahoma
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $23,680 | 1,410 |
| Tulsa, OK | $18,350 | 7,460 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $18,200 | 11,560 |
| Lawton, OK | $17,150 | 700 |
| Enid, OK | $16,650 | 390 |
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 Oklahoma
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,430 | $11.27 |
| Bartender | $24,790 | $11.92 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $28,490 | $13.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $29,270 | $14.07 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,540 | $13.72 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,740 | $11.89 |
| Dishwasher | $27,390 | $13.17 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in Oklahoma is $17,910 a year, or $8.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Oklahoma?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in Oklahoma earn at least $47,630 a year. The top 25% earn $28,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Oklahoma?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,230 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $16,550 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Oklahoma?
About 27,000 waiters and waitresses are employed in Oklahoma, not counting the self-employed.