Waiters and Waitresses salary in Owensboro, KY
Waiters and Waitresses in the Owensboro, KY metro area earn a median of $29,790 a year ($14.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $16,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,900 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is about the same as the Kentucky statewide median of $29,660. There are 16 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Owensboro, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,210 | $7.79 |
| 25th percentile | $20,270 | $9.75 |
| Median | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| 75th percentile | $44,590 | $21.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Average (mean) | $36,260 | $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 | $2,482.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,241.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,145.77 |
| Weekly | $572.88 |
| Hourly | $14.32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,530 | 17,790 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $34,910 | 5,020 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $30,690 | 1,720 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $30,270 | 760 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,180 | 10,220 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $29,280 | 1,010 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $28,810 | 1,250 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $21,790 | 1,570 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Owensboro, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,750 | $12.86 |
| Bartender | $26,810 | $12.89 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,600 | $14.23 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,910 | $16.79 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,130 | $13.04 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,050 | $11.56 |
| Dishwasher | $28,450 | $13.68 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,350 | $11.23 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $47,620 | $22.90 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Owensboro, KY
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 Owensboro, KY?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Owensboro, KY metro area is $29,790 a year, or $14.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $16,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Owensboro, KY?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Owensboro, KY metro area earn at least $60,900 a year. The top 25% earn $44,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Owensboro, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16,210 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $20,270 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Owensboro, KY?
About 780 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Owensboro, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.