Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Waiters and Waitresses salary grow from entry-level to senior in Missouri? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
115% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • Missouri salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Waiters and Waitresses in Missouri spans from $28,600 at entry-level to $61,440 at senior level — a difference of $32,840 per year.
Senior Waiters and Waitressess in Missouri earn $32,840 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Waiters and Waitresses salary increases with experience in Missouri, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $28,600 | $2,383 | $13.75 |
| Early Career | P25 | $28,600 | $2,383 | $13.75 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $29,400 | $2,450 | $14.13 |
| Experienced | P75 | $40,150 | $3,346 | $19.30 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $61,440 | $5,120 | $29.54 |
Waiters and Waitresses in Missouri has a moderate salary progression with a 115% growth from entry-level ($28,600) to senior ($61,440). 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 ($29,400) and P90 ($61,440) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does Missouri rank for Waiters and Waitresses senior-level salaries? Compare Missouri's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Waiters and Waitressess (10th percentile) earn approximately $28,600 per year, or $2,383 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $28,600. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Waiters and Waitressess (90th percentile) earn approximately $61,440 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $40,150. This represents a career premium of 115% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Waiters and Waitressess is 115%. Entry-level professionals start at $28,600, while senior-level can earn up to $61,440 — a difference of $32,840 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Waiters and Waitressess is Missouri, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $61,440 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 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.
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Salary percentile data for Missouri from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. 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 Missouri.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS