Waiters and Waitresses salary in Topeka, KS
Waiters and Waitresses in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median of $35,090 a year ($16.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $17,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,690 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 3% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $36,120. There are 11 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $38,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Topeka, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,250 | $8.29 |
| 25th percentile | $27,440 | $13.19 |
| Median | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| 75th percentile | $47,540 | $22.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,690 | $30.14 |
| Average (mean) | $38,520 | $18.52 |
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 | $2,924.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,462.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,349.62 |
| Weekly | $674.81 |
| Hourly | $16.87 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS | $37,300 | 4,570 |
| Lawrence, KS | $37,230 | 1,190 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,080 | 16,540 |
| Manhattan, KS | $33,140 | 940 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $30,490 | 600 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,600 | 1,220 |
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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Topeka, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| Bartender | $27,860 | $13.40 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $26,670 | $12.82 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,200 | $15.96 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,290 | $10.72 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,570 | $12.77 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,680 | $12.83 |
| Dishwasher | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $55,030 | $26.46 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,180 | $14.03 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Topeka, KS
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 Topeka, KS?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Topeka, KS metro area is $35,090 a year, or $16.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Topeka, KS?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Topeka, KS metro area earn at least $62,690 a year. The top 25% earn $47,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Topeka, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,250 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $27,440 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Topeka, KS?
About 1,330 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Topeka, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.