How much does a waiter and waitress make in Tennessee?
$27,760a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in Tennessee. That is $13.35 an hour or $2,313 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.35
- Vs. national median
- -21%
- Rank among states
- 37 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 52,120
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $15,080Median: $27,760Highest 10%: $47,660
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,080 | $7.25 | |
| 25th | $16,790 | $8.07 | |
| Median | $27,760 | $13.35 | |
| 75th | $37,380 | $17.97 | |
| 90th | $47,660 | $22.91 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Nashville, TN | $29,390 |
| Kingsport, TN | $28,210 |
| Knoxville, TN | $28,100 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,370 |
| Memphis, TN | $24,550 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $24,240 |
| Cleveland, TN | $23,300 |
| Johnson City, TN | $22,070 |
| Clarksville, TN | $21,790 |
| Jackson, TN | $20,490 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for waiter and waitresss.
| 34. Missouri | $29,400 |
| 35. South Dakota | $28,990 |
| 36. Indiana | $28,480 |
| 37. Tennessee | $27,760 |
| 38. Alabama | $26,840 |
| 39. Nevada | $26,410 |
| 40. Alaska | $26,310 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $13.35 ($27,760 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Tennessee than the national average?
No: $27,760 against $35,230 nationally, 21% less.
Where does Tennessee rank for waiter and waitress pay?
Tennessee ranks 37 of 51 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays waiter and waitresss the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $29,390 a year.
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.