Waiters and Waitresses salary in Grand Forks, ND-MN
Waiters and Waitresses in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $27,820 a year ($13.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,950 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 10% lower than the North Dakota statewide median of $30,890. There are 16 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Grand Forks, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,560 | $8.93 |
| 25th percentile | $22,880 | $11.00 |
| Median | $27,820 | $13.37 |
| 75th percentile | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,950 | $28.34 |
| Average (mean) | $33,420 | $16.07 |
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 | $2,318.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,159.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,070 |
| Weekly | $535 |
| Hourly | $13.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $32,310 | 950 |
| Minot, ND | $30,930 | 440 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $30,330 | 2,020 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $29,920 | 2,550 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $28,380 | 1,270 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $25,920 | 25,620 |
| Rochester, MN | $24,060 | 1,620 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $23,520 | 1,070 |
| Mankato, MN | $23,330 | 770 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $23,150 | 2,100 |
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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Grand Forks, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Bartender | $28,770 | $13.83 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,630 | $14.73 |
| Dishwasher | $30,230 | $14.54 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,420 | $13.67 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,550 | $14.21 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Grand Forks, ND-MN
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 Grand Forks, ND-MN?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area is $27,820 a year, or $13.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Grand Forks, ND-MN?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area earn at least $58,950 a year. The top 25% earn $36,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Grand Forks, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,560 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $22,880 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Grand Forks, ND-MN?
About 820 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.