Waiters and Waitresses salary in Boise City, ID
Waiters and Waitresses in the Boise City, ID metro area earn a median of $35,830 a year ($17.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $16,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,600 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 19% higher than the Idaho statewide median of $30,050. There are 12 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Boise City, ID
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,970 | $8.16 |
| 25th percentile | $19,640 | $9.44 |
| Median | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| 75th percentile | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,600 | $31.06 |
| Average (mean) | $37,480 | $18.02 |
Half of waiters and waitresses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,985.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,492.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,378.08 |
| Weekly | $689.04 |
| Hourly | $17.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,830 salary, see how much house you can afford in Idaho at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $36,240 | 310 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $31,300 | 1,370 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $30,740 | 900 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $30,350 | 650 |
| Pocatello, ID | $30,200 | 470 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $28,710 | 630 |
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 |
| Vermont | $59,140 |
| Washington | $56,130 |
| Oregon | $48,410 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 |
| Colorado | $44,860 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Arizona | $43,950 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the Idaho statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boise City, ID
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,660 | $14.26 |
| Bartender | $28,840 | $13.86 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,890 | $17.26 |
| Dishwasher | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,030 | $13.47 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,810 | $15.77 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $47,500 | $22.84 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Boise City, ID
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiters and waitresses make in Boise City, ID?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Boise City, ID metro area is $35,830 a year, or $17.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $16,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Boise City, ID?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Boise City, ID metro area earn at least $64,600 a year. The top 25% earn $47,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Boise City, ID?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16,970 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $19,640 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Boise City, ID?
About 4,890 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Boise City, ID metro area, not counting the self-employed.