Waiters and Waitresses pay in Madison
In Madison (WI), the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $14.86 an hour ($30,910 a year). About 5,130 people work in this job there.
That is 12% lower than the U.S. median ($35,230). It is 4% higher than the Wisconsin median ($29,670).
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Madison (WI)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $8.71 | $18,120 |
| 25% of workers | $10.57 | $21,980 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.86 | $30,910 |
| 75% of workers | $23.14 | $48,120 |
| 90% of workers | $37.45 | $77,900 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Wisconsin metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Madison (this page) | $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 Madison (WI)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,820 |
| Bartenders | $23,210 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,060 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $36,940 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,710 |
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.