Waiters and Waitresses salary in Reno, NV
Waiters and Waitresses in the Reno, NV metro area earn a median of $25,700 a year ($12.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,570 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 3% lower than the Nevada statewide median of $26,410. There are 15 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Reno, NV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| 25th percentile | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| Median | $25,700 | $12.36 |
| 75th percentile | $28,360 | $13.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Average (mean) | $29,760 | $14.31 |
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 | $2,141.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,070.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $988.46 |
| Weekly | $494.23 |
| Hourly | $12.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $27,110 | 36,160 |
| Carson City, NV | $26,670 | 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 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the Nevada statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reno, NV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,530 | $15.16 |
| Bartender | $25,770 | $12.39 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,590 | $20.48 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,030 | $12.52 |
| Dishwasher | $33,190 | $15.96 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,410 | $14.62 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,620 | $13.76 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,270 | $20.81 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $33,050 | $15.89 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $41,530 | $19.96 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Reno, NV
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 Reno, NV?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Reno, NV metro area is $25,700 a year, or $12.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Reno, NV?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Reno, NV metro area earn at least $36,570 a year. The top 25% earn $28,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Reno, NV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,960 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $24,960 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Reno, NV?
About 4,220 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Reno, NV metro area, not counting the self-employed.