Waiters and Waitresses salary in Rochester, MN
Waiters and Waitresses in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median of $24,060 a year ($11.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,920 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 6% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $25,470. There are 13 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $28,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Rochester, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,150 | $11.13 |
| 25th percentile | $23,250 | $11.18 |
| Median | $24,060 | $11.57 |
| 75th percentile | $28,220 | $13.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Average (mean) | $28,260 | $13.59 |
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 | $2,005 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,002.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $925.38 |
| Weekly | $462.69 |
| Hourly | $11.57 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $30,330 | 2,020 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $29,920 | 2,550 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $28,380 | 1,270 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $27,820 | 820 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $25,920 | 25,620 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $23,520 | 1,070 |
| Mankato, MN | $23,330 | 770 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $23,150 | 2,100 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,190 | $14.99 |
| Bartender | $27,000 | $12.98 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Dishwasher | $32,790 | $15.76 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,270 | $13.59 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,090 | $15.91 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,520 | $30.06 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,320 | $14.58 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, MN
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 Rochester, MN?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Rochester, MN metro area is $24,060 a year, or $11.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Rochester, MN?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Rochester, MN metro area earn at least $39,920 a year. The top 25% earn $28,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Rochester, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,150 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $23,250 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Rochester, MN?
About 1,620 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Rochester, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.