Waiters and Waitresses pay range in Duluth
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,150 a year or less, while the top 10% make $39,570 or more. The middle half of waiters and waitresses in Duluth earn between $23,150 and $29,550.
- $23K10th
- $23K25th
- $23KMedian
- $30K75th
- $40K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $28,810 | $2,401 | $13.85 |
| Median | $23,150 | $1,929 | $11.13 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $23,150 | $1,929 | $11.13 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $29,550 | $2,462 | $14.21 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Duluth vs. Minnesota and the U.S.
Waiters and waitresses in Duluth earn 4% less than the Minnesota average ($30,060) and 28% less than the U.S. average ($40,060). At the median the gap is -34% against the U.S. median of $35,230.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $28,810 | $23,150 | $23,150 | $39,570 | 2,100 |
| Minnesota | $30,060 | $25,470 | $23,150 | $41,800 | 37,630 |
| United States | $40,060 | $35,230 | $18,100 | $64,720 | 2,270,910 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Waiters and Waitresses salary after taxes in Duluth
On the average salary of $28,810, a single filer in Duluth takes home about $24,606 a year, or $2,051 a month and $946 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.
The Duluth, MN-WI metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WI | $24,796 | $2,066 |
| Working in MN | $24,606 | $2,051 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
Is Duluth a good place for waiters and waitresses? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Duluth area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.8), so the average $28,810 buys what about $32,455 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Duluth ($50,000). A typical home costs $264,350, or 9.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other Minnesota cities
Duluth ranks 2nd of 5 Minnesota metro areas for this job; Minneapolis pays the most ($31,300).
- Minneapolis$31,300
- Duluth$28,810
- Mankato$28,580
- Rochester$28,260
- St. Cloud$27,720
Highest-paying cities for waiters and waitresses
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($87,210).
- Kahului, HI$87,210
- Seattle, WA$62,940
- Honolulu, HI$61,880
- Bremerton, WA$61,770
- Burlington, VT$61,070
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Waiters and Waitresses salary in Duluth: questions
How much do waiters and waitresses make an hour in Duluth?
$13.85 an hour on average, and $11.13 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level waiters and waitresses salary in Duluth?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,150 a year and the 25th percentile is $23,150, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the waiters and waitresses take-home pay in Duluth?
About $24,606 a year ($2,051 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $28,810. Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
Do waiters and waitresses earn more in Duluth than elsewhere?
The average here is 28% less than the U.S. average for this job ($40,060).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-3031; area Duluth, MN-WI (20260). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.15, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.