How much does a waiter and waitress make in Rochester?
$24,060a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Rochester, MN metro area. That is $11.57 an hour or $2,005 a month.
- Hourly
- $11.57
- Vs. national median
- -32%
- Rank among cities
- 306 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 1,620
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,150Median: $24,060Highest 10%: $39,920
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,150 | $11.13 | |
| 25th | $23,250 | $11.18 | |
| Median | $24,060 | $11.57 | |
| 75th | $28,220 | $13.57 | |
| 90th | $39,920 | $19.19 |
Other cities in Minnesota
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Fargo, ND | $30,330 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $29,920 |
| La Crosse, WI | $28,380 |
| Grand Forks, ND | $27,820 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $25,920 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $23,520 |
| Mankato, MN | $23,330 |
| Duluth, MN | $23,150 |
Related jobs in Rochester
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $62,520 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,620 |
| Cook | $43,160 |
| Cook | $38,150 |
| Food Server | $35,630 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,470 |
| Cook | $33,090 |
| Dishwasher | $32,790 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $31,190 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,120 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Rochester?
The median hourly pay in the Rochester, MN metro area is $11.57 ($24,060 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Rochester than the national average?
No: $24,060 against $35,230 nationally, 32% less.
How does Rochester compare with the rest of Minnesota?
The median in Minnesota is $25,470, so Rochester pays 6% less.
Where does Rochester rank for waiter and waitress pay?
306 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,150 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,920 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.