Waiter and Waitress Salary in Bismarck, ND
Waiters and Waitresses in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn a median $32,310 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,141 take-home, or $2,345 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Bismarck, ND. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,697
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,003
- Medicare (1.45%)$468
- North Dakota income tax$0
- Take-home pay$28,141
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Bismarck, ND
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,590 | $8.94 | $16,919 | $1,410 |
| 25th percentile | $22,890 | $11.00 | $20,460 | $1,705 |
| Median (50th) | $32,310 | $15.53 | $28,141 | $2,345 |
| 75th percentile | $46,120 | $22.17 | $39,237 | $3,270 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,320 | $29.48 | $51,451 | $4,288 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,310 buys in Bismarck, ND
Prices in Bismarck, ND are 9.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 16% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $28,141 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,916 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Waiter and Waitress jobs are about as common in Bismarck, ND as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.91).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Bismarck, ND ranks #130 of 375 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $82,550 | $62,160 | $56,823 |
| 2 | Burlington, VT | $61,620 | $50,061 | $49,591 |
| 3 | Bellingham, WA | $56,700 | $47,738 | $46,198 |
| 4 | Bremerton, WA | $55,270 | $46,589 | $44,116 |
| 5 | Mount Vernon, WA | $53,060 | $44,814 | $43,745 |
| 6 | Yakima, WA | $49,060 | $41,600 | $43,539 |
| 7 | Kennewick, WA | $51,460 | $43,528 | $43,494 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $57,280 | $48,204 | $43,375 |
| 130 | Bismarck, ND | $32,310 | $28,141 | $30,916 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 375 metros →
Waiter and Waitress salaries elsewhere in North Dakota
- Minot, ND — $30,930
- Fargo, ND — $30,330
- Grand Forks, ND — $27,820
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Bismarck, ND?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Bismarck, ND metro area is $32,310 a year, or about $15.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $22,890 and $46,120.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Bismarck, ND?
On the median $32,310 salary, a single filer living in North Dakota takes home about $28,141 a year ($2,345 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Bismarck, ND a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 9.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,916 would in a typical U.S. city. Bismarck, ND ranks #130 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Bismarck, ND?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Bismarck, ND is $1,030 a month ($1,175 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Bismarck, ND
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,190
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,610
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,940
- Bartender — $29,350