Auburn-Opelika, AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL

In the Auburn-Opelika, AL metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $26,600 ($12.79/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $16,400/year and the 90th was $35,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $22,500 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$26,600$12.79 per hour · $2,217 monthly
10th Percentile$16,400$7.88/hr base
25th Percentile$20,100$9.66/hr base
75th Percentile$28,600$13.75/hr base
90th Percentile$35,700$17.16/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

$26,600
$15,000$55,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$26,600
Net 85%
Fed 4%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$22,500After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,875Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$865Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,050 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,015 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,035 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Auburn-Opelika, AL

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 Auburn-Opelika, AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$7.88/hr$1,367$16,400$14,562
25th Percentile$9.66/hr$1,675$20,100$17,442
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$12.79/hr$2,217$26,600$22,500
75th Percentile$13.75/hr$2,383$28,600$24,050
90th Percentile$17.16/hr$2,975$35,700$29,425

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Auburn-Opelika, AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$26,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$63,649Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.912.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Auburn-Opelika, AL

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Auburn-Opelika, AL is $26,600, which equates to approximately $2,217 per month or $12.79 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Auburn-Opelika, AL is $12.79 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $7.88/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.16/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Auburn-Opelika, AL span from $16,400 at the 10th percentile to $20,100 at the 25th, $28,600 at the 75th, and $35,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

On a median gross salary of $26,600, an estimated $22,500 lands in net take-home pay per year ($865 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,100 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

On the median annual salary of $26,600, gross monthly income is $2,217. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,875 per month (or $865 every two weeks).

Is $26,600 a good salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

At $26,600, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 41.8% of the Auburn-Opelika, AL median household income ($63,649). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.9, making regional consumer goods and services 12.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.