Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

In the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $41,300 ($19.86/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,600/year and the 90th was $72,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Jersey tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $34,630 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$41,300$19.86 per hour · $3,442 monthly
10th Percentile$29,600$14.23/hr base
25th Percentile$32,800$15.77/hr base
75th Percentile$51,800$24.90/hr base
90th Percentile$72,100$34.66/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$41,300
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$41,300
Net 84%
Fed 7%
NJ 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,630After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,886Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,332Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,776 / yr
New Jersey state income tax$734 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,159 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Waiters and Waitresses in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NJ)
10th Percentile$14.23/hr$2,467$29,600$25,533
25th Percentile$15.77/hr$2,733$32,800$28,048
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.86/hr$3,442$41,300$34,630
75th Percentile$24.90/hr$4,317$51,800$42,487
90th Percentile$34.66/hr$6,008$72,100$57,117

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$41,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$84,587Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.0Exact national baseline
Individual vs Household Ratio48.8%of area median income

Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New Jersey:

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is $41,300, which equates to approximately $3,442 per month or $19.86 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is $19.86 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.23/hour and one in ten earned more than $34.66/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ span from $29,600 at the 10th percentile to $32,800 at the 25th, $51,800 at the 75th, and $72,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

On a median gross salary of $41,300, an estimated $34,630 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,332 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Jersey in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,670 (an effective rate of 16.1%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

On the median annual salary of $41,300, gross monthly income is $3,442. After federal, FICA, and New Jersey state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,886 per month (or $1,332 every two weeks).

Is $41,300 a good salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

At $41,300, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 48.8% of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ median household income ($84,587). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.0, making regional consumer goods and services 0% more expensive than the U.S. average.