Waiters and Waitresses pay in Kentucky
In Kentucky, the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $14.26 an hour ($29,660 a year). About 27,150 people work in this job there.
That is 16% lower than the U.S. median ($35,230). Kentucky ranks 33rd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Kentucky
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $7.94 | $16,520 |
| 25% of workers | $8.74 | $18,170 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.26 | $29,660 |
| 75% of workers | $21.98 | $45,710 |
| 90% of workers | $29.82 | $62,030 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Kentucky metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette | $34,910 | 5,020 |
| Elizabethtown | $30,270 | 760 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $30,180 | 10,220 |
| Owensboro | $29,790 | 780 |
| Paducah | $29,280 | 1,010 |
| Bowling Green | $28,810 | 1,250 |
Kentucky unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for waiters and waitresses
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 423,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,130 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,810 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $26,850 |
| Bartenders | $28,780 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,100 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,200 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,330 |
| Food Service Managers | $70,410 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.