Waiters and Waitresses pay in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $13.35 an hour ($27,760 a year). About 52,120 people work in this job there.
That is 21% lower than the U.S. median ($35,230). Tennessee ranks 37th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Tennessee
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| 25% of workers | $8.07 | $16,790 |
| Half of workers (median) | $13.35 | $27,760 |
| 75% of workers | $17.97 | $37,380 |
| 90% of workers | $22.92 | $47,660 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $29,390 | 19,490 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $28,210 | 1,800 |
| Knoxville | $28,100 | 7,260 |
| Morristown | $27,370 | 630 |
| Memphis | $24,550 | 8,060 |
| Chattanooga | $24,240 | 4,790 |
| Cleveland | $23,300 | 720 |
| Johnson City | $22,070 | 1,460 |
| Clarksville | $21,790 | 1,570 |
| Jackson | $20,490 | 930 |
Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (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 Tennessee
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $28,700 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,470 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,490 |
| Bartenders | $27,480 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,670 |
| Food Service Managers | $64,410 |
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.