Waiters and Waitresses salary in Fairbanks-College, AK
Waiters and Waitresses in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area earn a median of $26,530 a year ($12.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,190 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 1% higher than the Alaska statewide median of $26,310. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Fairbanks-College, AK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,860 | $11.95 |
| 25th percentile | $25,640 | $12.33 |
| Median | $26,530 | $12.75 |
| 75th percentile | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| Average (mean) | $34,300 | $16.49 |
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 | $2,210.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,105.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,020.38 |
| Weekly | $510.19 |
| Hourly | $12.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $26,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alaska 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $26,080 | 2,340 |
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 Alaska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fairbanks-College, AK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,170 | $14.51 |
| Bartender | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $37,010 | $17.80 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $40,150 | $19.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $49,340 | $23.72 |
| Dishwasher | $32,900 | $15.82 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $55,130 | $26.50 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,740 | $13.34 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,020 | $14.91 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Fairbanks-College, AK
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 Fairbanks-College, AK?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area is $26,530 a year, or $12.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Fairbanks-College, AK?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area earn at least $63,190 a year. The top 25% earn $32,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Fairbanks-College, AK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,860 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $25,640 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Fairbanks-College, AK?
About 490 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area, not counting the self-employed.