Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Idaho
Waiters and Waitresses in Idaho have a median of $30,050 a year, below the national $35,230 (−15%); the state ranks 31st of 51 states by median. That is 37% less than the median across all occupations in Idaho ($47,970). Among neighbouring states, Washington, Oregon and Utah pay more (up to $56,130 in Washington) and Nevada, Wyoming and Montana pay less (down to $23,370 in Montana). Idaho employs 10,950 waiters and waitresses, 12.8 per 1,000 jobs, the 40th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.87 is close to the national share.
Idaho vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Idaho | Hourly | $8.06 | $8.67 | $14.45 | $22.30 | $29.91 | $16.98 | 10,950 | 12.77 | 0.87 |
| Annual | $16,770 | $18,040 | $30,050 | $46,390 | $62,220 | $35,320 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $8.70 | $13.34 | $16.94 | $22.65 | $31.12 | $19.26 | 2,270,910 | – | – |
| Annual | $18,100 | $27,750 | $35,230 | $47,110 | $64,720 | $40,060 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 31st of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 40th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.87
- Jobs per 1,000
- 12.77
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Idaho's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Idaho
7 metropolitan areas and 2 nonmetropolitan areas touching Idaho publish a row for waiters and waitresses, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $17.43 | $36,240 | $17,670 | $73,070 | 310 | 10.83 | 0.74 |
| Boise City, ID | $17.23 | $35,830 | $16,970 | $64,600 | 4,890 | 12.49 | 0.86 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $15.05 | $31,300 | $17,580 | $61,780 | 1,370 | 18.96 | 1.30 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $14.78 | $30,740 | $16,580 | $59,960 | 900 | 11.02 | 0.75 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $14.59 | $30,350 | $20,830 | $56,850 | 650 | 9.79 | 0.67 |
| Pocatello, ID | $14.52 | $30,200 | $15,970 | $61,040 | 470 | 12.40 | 0.85 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $13.80 | $28,710 | $16,170 | $61,200 | 630 | 12.59 | 0.86 |
| Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $12.03 | $25,030 | $16,670 | $57,920 | 1,220 | 16.25 | 1.11 |
| Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $10.17 | $21,150 | $16,080 | $58,050 | 1,200 | 12.49 | 0.86 |
Neighbouring states
See the national page for Waiters and Waitresses (every state ranked) and the Idaho wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Idaho estimates.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.