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Waiters and Waitresses salary in Tennessee

Median: $27,760 / year · $13.35 / hr · 2025

21% below the U.S. average

Mean
$29,070
$13.98 / hr
Median hourly
$13.35 / hr
10th–90th percentile
$15,080 – $47,660
U.S. median
$35,230
Wage distribution (annual)
  • 10th percentile$15,080
  • Median$27,760
  • Mean$29,070
  • 90th percentile$47,660

U.S. median $35,230

Take-home estimate

$24,289

On a $27,760 OEWS median, single filer (2024). Not tax advice.

  • Federal income tax$1,347 (4.9%)
  • Social Security$1,721 (6.2%)
  • Medicare$403 (1.4%)
  • Net take-home$24,289 (87.5%)
  • Share of $27,760 gross (single filer). Not tax advice.

Open take-home calculator →

Living-cost context

$30,217

U.S.-average purchasing power of this median. Tennessee RPP is 91.9 (8% below the U.S. average).

Tennessee cost of living →

Related occupations in Tennessee

ZIP codes in Tennessee

All Tennessee ZIP codes →

Highest-paying states for Waiters and Waitresses

Tennessee ranks #37 of 51 states and DC with a published OEWS median ($27,760).

Waiters and Waitresses median salary by state
RankStateMedian
#1 Highest Hawaii$62,390
#2Vermont$59,140
#3Washington$56,130
#4Oregon$48,410
#5District of Columbia$47,850
#6New York$47,020
#7New Jersey$44,960
#8Colorado$44,860
#9Virginia$44,760
#10Arizona$43,950
#11Maine$43,370
#12Massachusetts$38,460
#13New Hampshire$38,430
#14Connecticut$37,770
#15Michigan$37,760
#16New Mexico$36,920
#17Delaware$36,880
#18Maryland$36,750
#19Ohio$36,700
#20Florida$36,150
#21Kansas$36,120
#22California$36,080
#23Rhode Island$35,420
#24West Virginia$35,380
#25Pennsylvania$34,690
#26Nebraska$33,770
#27North Carolina$32,150
#28Illinois$31,200
#29Utah$31,150
#30North Dakota$30,890
#31Idaho$30,050
#32Wisconsin$29,670
#33Kentucky$29,660
#34Missouri$29,400
#35South Dakota$28,990
#36Indiana$28,480
#37Tennessee$27,760
#38Alabama$26,840
#39Nevada$26,410
#40Alaska$26,310
#41Minnesota$25,470
#42Arkansas$24,680
#43Wyoming$23,920
#44Montana$23,370
#45Texas$23,240
#46Mississippi$21,370
#47Iowa$21,000
#48Georgia$18,700
#49South Carolina$18,370
#50Oklahoma$17,910
#51 Lowest Louisiana$15,080

Frequently asked questions

What is the median waiters and waitresses salary in Tennessee?
The OEWS median is $27,760 per year ($13.35 / hr) (2025), 21% below the U.S. average.
How much does a waiters and waitresses make per hour in Tennessee?
The OEWS hourly median is $13.35 / hr.
Is this take-home pay?
No. OEWS is pre-tax. A single-filer estimate on this median is about $24,289 after federal, state, and FICA. Use the take-home calculator to change the gross.
How does waiters and waitresses pay compare nationally?
The Tennessee median is 21% below the U.S. average versus the U.S. OEWS median of $35,230.
Which states pay waiters and waitressess the most?
Hawaii has the highest published OEWS median at $62,390. Tennessee ranks #37 of 51.
What is that salary worth after Tennessee living costs?
BEA all-items RPP is 91.9 (U.S. = 100), 8% below the U.S. average. $27,760 in Tennessee has about the same purchasing power as $30,217 at U.S. average prices.