Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $39,400 ($18.94/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,500/year and the 90th was $63,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Massachusetts tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,188 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,400$18.94 per hour · $3,283 monthly
10th Percentile$32,500$15.63/hr base
25th Percentile$36,100$17.36/hr base
75th Percentile$46,800$22.50/hr base
90th Percentile$63,700$30.63/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

$39,400
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,400
Net 82%
Fed 6%
MA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,188After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,682Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,238Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,548 / yr
Massachusetts state income tax$1,650 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,014 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MA)
10th Percentile$15.63/hr$2,708$32,500$26,989
25th Percentile$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$29,701
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.94/hr$3,283$39,400$32,188
75th Percentile$22.50/hr$3,900$46,800$37,764
90th Percentile$30.63/hr$5,308$63,700$50,498

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$115,863Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.38.3% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio34%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $39,400, which equates to approximately $3,283 per month or $18.94 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $18.94 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.63/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.63/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH span from $32,500 at the 10th percentile to $36,100 at the 25th, $46,800 at the 75th, and $63,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

On a median gross salary of $39,400, an estimated $32,188 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,238 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Massachusetts in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,212 (an effective rate of 18.3%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

On the median annual salary of $39,400, gross monthly income is $3,283. After federal, FICA, and Massachusetts state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,682 per month (or $1,238 every two weeks).

Is $39,400 a good salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

At $39,400, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 34% of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH median household income ($115,863). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.3, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% more expensive than the U.S. average.