Waiter or waitress salary after taxes, by state
Median pay for waiters and waitresses and what's left after 2026 taxes. Of the states we cover, Washington leaves the most: about $46,502 a year.
| State | Median gross | Take-home / year | Per month | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $56,130 | $46,502 | $3,875 | 45,400 |
| New York | $47,020 | $37,751 | $3,146 | 142,940 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 | $36,890 | $3,074 | 55,800 |
| Virginia | $44,760 | $36,385 | $3,032 | 59,370 |
| New Hampshire | $38,430 | $33,059 | $2,755 | 10,030 |
| Massachusetts | $38,460 | $31,303 | $2,609 | 54,670 |
| Florida | $36,150 | $31,227 | $2,602 | 207,180 |
| Michigan | $37,760 | $31,166 | $2,597 | 65,090 |
| Ohio | $36,700 | $30,953 | $2,579 | 77,250 |
| California | $36,080 | $30,233 | $2,519 | 229,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,690 | $28,988 | $2,416 | 82,300 |
| North Carolina | $32,150 | $27,207 | $2,267 | 71,940 |
| Illinois | $31,200 | $25,850 | $2,154 | 72,900 |
| South Dakota | $28,990 | $25,473 | $2,123 | 7,350 |
| Tennessee | $27,760 | $24,470 | $2,039 | 52,120 |
| Nevada | $26,410 | $23,359 | $1,947 | 42,520 |
| Alaska | $26,310 | $23,276 | $1,940 | 3,830 |
| Wyoming | $23,920 | $21,308 | $1,776 | 3,620 |
| Texas | $23,240 | $20,748 | $1,729 | 199,610 |
| Georgia | $18,700 | $16,825 | $1,402 | 76,470 |
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, statewide, all industries. BLS wages include tips and commissions, not overtime premiums or benefits. Take-home uses 2026 tax rules for a single filer paid every two weeks with W-4 defaults and no pre-tax deductions.