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

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

68% career growth potential

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

Entry-Level (P10)
$23,430
$1,952/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$26,160
$2,180/mo
Senior (P90)
$39,460
$3,288/mo

Arkansas vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$23,430
National: $22,669
+3.4%
Mid-Career (Median)
$26,160
National: $30,084
-13.0%
Senior (P90)
$39,460
National: $57,068
-30.9%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Waiters and Waitresses in Arkansas spans from $23,430 at entry-level to $39,460 at senior level — a difference of $16,030 per year.

P10
$23K
P25
$23K
Median
$26K
P75
$28K
P90
$39K

Career Growth Premium: +68%

Senior Waiters and Waitressess in Arkansas earn $16,030 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$16,030
Monthly Difference
+$1,336
Hourly Difference
+$7.71
Growth Multiple
1.7x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

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

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $23,430 $1,952 $11.26
Early Career P25 $23,920 $1,993 $11.50
Mid-Career Median $26,160 $2,180 $12.58
Experienced P75 $28,330 $2,361 $13.62
Senior / Expert P90 $39,460 $3,288 $18.97
Key Insight

Waiters and Waitresses in Arkansas has a moderate salary progression with a 68% growth from entry-level ($23,430) to senior ($39,460). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($26,160) and P90 ($39,460) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Arkansas Compares to Other States

Where does Arkansas rank for Waiters and Waitresses senior-level salaries? Compare Arkansas'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 $23,430 per year, or $1,952 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $23,920. 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 $39,460 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $28,330. This represents a career premium of 68% 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 68%. Entry-level professionals start at $23,430, while senior-level can earn up to $39,460 — a difference of $16,030 per year.

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

The highest-paying state for senior Waiters and Waitressess is Arkansas, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $39,460 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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