Waiters and Waitresses pay in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $14.26 an hour ($29,670 a year). About 36,220 people work in this job there.
That is 16% lower than the U.S. median ($35,230). Wisconsin ranks 32nd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Wisconsin
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $8.09 | $16,830 |
| 25% of workers | $10.10 | $21,000 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.26 | $29,670 |
| 75% of workers | $20.74 | $43,150 |
| 90% of workers | $29.70 | $61,770 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Wisconsin metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Madison | $30,910 | 5,130 |
| Appleton | $30,370 | 1,490 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $30,330 | 10,020 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | $30,020 | 850 |
| Sheboygan | $29,980 | 640 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | $29,840 | 950 |
| Eau Claire | $29,720 | 1,160 |
| Green Bay | $29,610 | 2,170 |
| Kenosha | $29,480 | 960 |
| Wausau | $29,060 | 720 |
| Janesville-Beloit | $28,990 | 820 |
| Fond du Lac | $28,980 | 430 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | $28,380 | 1,270 |
Wisconsin unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,600 |
| Bartenders | $23,460 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,670 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $34,070 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,080 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,670 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,060 |
| Food Service Managers | $61,810 |
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.