Waiters and Waitresses: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Arizona (2024)

How does Waiters and Waitresses salary grow from entry-level to senior in Arizona? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

163% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Arizona salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$28,810
$2,401/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$43,780
$3,648/mo
Senior (P90)
$75,890
$6,324/mo

Arizona vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$28,810
National: $22,669
+27.1%
Mid-Career (Median)
$43,780
National: $30,084
+45.5%
Senior (P90)
$75,890
National: $57,068
+33.0%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Waiters and Waitresses in Arizona spans from $28,810 at entry-level to $75,890 at senior level — a difference of $47,080 per year.

P10
$28K
P25
$30K
Median
$43K
P75
$60K
P90
$75K

Career Growth Premium: +163%

Senior Waiters and Waitressess in Arizona earn $47,080 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$47,080
Monthly Difference
+$3,923
Hourly Difference
+$22.63
Growth Multiple
2.6x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Waiters and Waitresses salary increases with experience in Arizona, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $28,810 $2,401 $13.85
Early Career P25 $30,200 $2,517 $14.52
Mid-Career Median $43,780 $3,648 $21.05
Experienced P75 $60,870 $5,072 $29.26
Senior / Expert P90 $75,890 $6,324 $36.49
Key Insight

Waiters and Waitresses in Arizona shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $28,810, while senior-level professionals earn $75,890 — a 163% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($43,780) and experienced level ($60,870), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Arizona Compares to Other States

Where does Arizona rank for Waiters and Waitresses senior-level salaries? Compare Arizona's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$96,030
Entry: $28K
+237%
2
$95,000
Entry: $33K
+188%
3
$91,570
Entry: $31K
+195%
4
$86,460
Entry: $33K
+158%
5
$77,360
Entry: $24K
+210%
6
$76,330
Entry: $29K
+155%
7
$76,080
Entry: $22K
+235%
8
$75,890
Entry: $28K
+163%
9
$74,760
Entry: $28K
+163%
10
$74,590
Entry: $29K
+155%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Waiters and Waitresses?

Entry-level Waiters and Waitressess (10th percentile) earn approximately $28,810 per year, or $2,400 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $30,200. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Waiters and Waitresses make?

Senior Waiters and Waitressess (90th percentile) earn approximately $75,890 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $60,870. This represents a career premium of 163% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Waiters and Waitresses?

The career salary growth potential for Waiters and Waitressess is 163%. Entry-level professionals start at $28,810, while senior-level can earn up to $75,890 — a difference of $47,080 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Waiters and Waitressess?

The highest-paying state for senior Waiters and Waitressess is Arizona, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $75,890 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Waiters and Waitresses salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Arizona from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Arizona.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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