Waiters and Waitresses salary in Wichita, KS
Waiters and Waitresses in the Wichita, KS metro area earn a median of $37,300 a year ($17.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $17,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,560 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 3% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $36,120. There are 15 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Wichita, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,300 | $8.32 |
| 25th percentile | $29,380 | $14.12 |
| Median | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| 75th percentile | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Average (mean) | $41,120 | $19.77 |
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 | $3,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,554.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,434.62 |
| Weekly | $717.31 |
| Hourly | $17.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kansas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | $37,230 | 1,190 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,080 | 16,540 |
| Topeka, KS | $35,090 | 1,330 |
| Manhattan, KS | $33,140 | 940 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $30,490 | 600 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,600 | 1,220 |
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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wichita, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| Bartender | $28,540 | $13.72 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $24,190 | $11.63 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,850 | $15.31 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,550 | $13.25 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Dishwasher | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $25,580 | $12.30 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,250 | $13.58 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Wichita, KS
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 Wichita, KS?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Wichita, KS metro area is $37,300 a year, or $17.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Wichita, KS?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Wichita, KS metro area earn at least $63,560 a year. The top 25% earn $49,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Wichita, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,300 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $29,380 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Wichita, KS?
About 4,570 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Wichita, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.