Waiter or waitress salary in North Carolina after taxes
The median waiter or waitress in North Carolina earns $32,150 a year ($15.46 an hour). After 2026 taxes, that's about $27,207 a year, or $1,046.40 every two weeks.
Take-home pay at each pay level
| Pay level | Gross / year | Take-home / year | Per month | Every 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17,140 | $15,543 | $1,295 | $597.80 |
| 25th percentile | $20,800 | $18,401 | $1,533 | $707.72 |
| Median | $32,150 | $27,207 | $2,267 | $1,046.40 |
| 75th percentile | $48,550 | $39,734 | $3,311 | $1,528.23 |
| 90th percentile | $62,670 | $50,481 | $4,207 | $1,941.59 |
The 10th percentile means 10% of waiters and waitresses in North Carolina earn less than this. New hires usually start near the 10th–25th percentile.
Your exact paycheck
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Waiter or waitress take-home pay in other states
North Carolina ranks #12 of 20 of the states we cover for median waiter or waitress take-home pay.
| State | Median gross | Take-home / year |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $56,130 | $46,502 |
| New York | $47,020 | $37,751 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 | $36,890 |
| Virginia | $44,760 | $36,385 |
| New Hampshire | $38,430 | $33,059 |
| Massachusetts | $38,460 | $31,303 |
| Florida | $36,150 | $31,227 |
| Michigan | $37,760 | $31,166 |
| Ohio | $36,700 | $30,953 |
| California | $36,080 | $30,233 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,690 | $28,988 |
| North Carolina | $32,150 | $27,207 |
| Illinois | $31,200 | $25,850 |
| South Dakota | $28,990 | $25,473 |
| Tennessee | $27,760 | $24,470 |
| Nevada | $26,410 | $23,359 |
| Alaska | $26,310 | $23,276 |
| Wyoming | $23,920 | $21,308 |
| Texas | $23,240 | $20,748 |
| Georgia | $18,700 | $16,825 |
Questions
How much does a waiter or waitress make in North Carolina after taxes?
The median waiter or waitress in North Carolina earns $32,150 a year ($15.46 an hour) before tax, according to BLS data for May 2025. After 2026 federal and state taxes that's about $27,207 a year, $2,267 a month or $1,046.40 every two weeks for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions.
How many waiters and waitresses work in North Carolina?
About 71,940, according to the BLS May 2025 estimates.
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.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state data)
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A and Annual Percentage Method tables
- SSA: 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
- NC Department of Revenue, NC-30 (2026)
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