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Average Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Asheville, NC

Waiters and waitresses in Asheville, NC, earn an average annual salary of $33,600. This figure is notably below the national average of $38,360, suggesting that local market dynamics, such as demand and the cost of labor, play a significant role in compensation within this vibrant mountain city.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $33,600 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 60.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $57,580.
  • Outlook: The Asheville area supports a substantial workforce of 4,380 waiters and waitresses, indicating a robust and active hospitality sector. With a Location Quotient of 1.56, this profession is significantly more concentrated in Asheville than the national average, signaling strong local demand and a potentially stable job market for these service professionals.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$33,600

The average Waiters and Waitresses in Asheville, NC earns-12.4%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$16.2

Weekly

$646

Monthly

$2,800

Waiters and Waitresses Salary Distribution in Asheville, NC

Career progression for waiters and waitresses in Asheville typically involves a salary increase with accumulated experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills, such as wine knowledge or supervisory capabilities, can command salaries significantly higher than the average, reflecting their value and contribution to the establishment.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$17,100$8.2
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$25,200$12.1
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$29,820$14.3
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$42,000$20.2
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$57,580$27.7

Detailed Waiters and Waitresses Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$33,600

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$33,600

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $33,600 in Asheville aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a waiter's salary in Asheville is comparable to the national average, offering a balanced financial landscape where wages effectively meet the local cost of essential goods and services.

Job Market Context

4,380

Total Jobs

23.351

Per 1K Jobs

1.56

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Asheville, NC has 1.6x the national concentration of Waiters and Waitresses jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

Asheville's Location Quotient of 1.56 strongly indicates a higher concentration of waiter and waitress jobs compared to the national average. This suggests a competitive yet abundant job market, where opportunities are plentiful, but employers may also have a wider pool of candidates to choose from, potentially influencing wage negotiations.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Waiters and Waitresses

CitySalaryDist.
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC Waiters and Waitresses Salary$24,040↓ 28%52 mi
Johnson City, TN Waiters and Waitresses Salary$28,470↓ 15%54 mi
Spartanburg, SC Waiters and Waitresses Salary$24,670↓ 27%56 mi
Morristown, TN Waiters and Waitresses Salary$29,500↓ 12%61 mi
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA Waiters and Waitresses Salary$32,070↓ 5%66 mi

Comparing salaries near Asheville, NC

Hiring Waiters and Waitressess?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Waiters and Waitresses make in Asheville, NC?

The median annual salary for a Waiters and Waitresses in Asheville, NC is $33,600. This typically ranges from $17,100 for entry-level positions to $57,580 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Asheville, NC is 12.4% lower than the national median of $38,360.

Is Asheville, NC a lucrative place for Waiters and Waitresses?

No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.While the cost of living is on par with the national average, the average salary of $33,600 is below the national average of $38,360, indicating less lucrative earning potential in Asheville.

Is Asheville, NC a good place to live for Waiters and Waitresses?

The Cost of Living Index in Asheville, NC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Asheville, NC?

Some top paying nearby cities include Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC ($24,040) and Johnson City, TN.

How does Asheville's waiter salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for waiters and waitresses in Asheville, NC, is $33,600, which is lower than the national average of $38,360.

What is the concentration of waiter jobs in Asheville?

Asheville has a Location Quotient of 1.56 for waiters and waitresses, meaning the profession is 56% more concentrated there than the national average.

Does the cost of living affect the value of a waiter's salary in Asheville?

No, the cost of living in Asheville is exactly at the national average (100), so the $33,600 salary has average purchasing power.

How many waiters and waitresses work in Asheville?

There are approximately 4,380 waiters and waitresses employed in Asheville, NC.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 4,380 employees in the Asheville, NC area with a job density of 23.351 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Waiters and Waitresses • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Asheville, NC