How much does a waiter and waitress make in Memphis?
$24,550a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. That is $11.80 an hour or $2,046 a month.
- Hourly
- $11.80
- Vs. national median
- -30%
- Rank among cities
- 301 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 8,060
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $15,080Median: $24,550Highest 10%: $47,480
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,080 | $7.25 | |
| 25th | $17,510 | $8.42 | |
| Median | $24,550 | $11.80 | |
| 75th | $36,420 | $17.51 | |
| 90th | $47,480 | $22.83 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Nashville, TN | $29,390 |
| Kingsport, TN | $28,210 |
| Knoxville, TN | $28,100 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,370 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $24,240 |
| Cleveland, TN | $23,300 |
| Johnson City, TN | $22,070 |
| Clarksville, TN | $21,790 |
| Jackson, TN | $20,490 |
Related jobs in Memphis
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,230 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,620 |
| Cook | $38,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $38,530 |
| Cook | $36,340 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $34,740 |
| Cook | $33,170 |
| Food Server | $31,080 |
| Cook | $29,880 |
| Dishwasher | $29,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Memphis?
The median hourly pay in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $11.80 ($24,550 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Memphis than the national average?
No: $24,550 against $35,230 nationally, 30% less.
How does Memphis compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $27,760, so Memphis pays 12% less.
Where does Memphis rank for waiter and waitress pay?
301 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $15,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,480 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.