Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

In the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $41,800 ($20.10/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,800/year and the 90th was $73,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New York tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $34,106 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$41,800$20.10 per hour · $3,483 monthly
10th Percentile$29,800$14.33/hr base
25th Percentile$30,700$14.76/hr base
75th Percentile$57,300$27.55/hr base
90th Percentile$73,900$35.53/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

$41,800
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$41,800
Net 82%
Fed 7%
NY 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,106After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,842Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,312Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,836 / yr
New York state income tax$1,661 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,198 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NY)
10th Percentile$14.33/hr$2,483$29,800$25,112
25th Percentile$14.76/hr$2,558$30,700$25,786
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.10/hr$3,483$41,800$34,106
75th Percentile$27.55/hr$4,775$57,300$45,723
90th Percentile$35.53/hr$6,158$73,900$57,425

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$41,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,237Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.84.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio57.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $41,800, which equates to approximately $3,483 per month or $20.10 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $20.10 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.33/hour and one in ten earned more than $35.53/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY span from $29,800 at the 10th percentile to $30,700 at the 25th, $57,300 at the 75th, and $73,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On a median gross salary of $41,800, an estimated $34,106 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,312 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New York in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,694 (an effective rate of 18.4%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On the median annual salary of $41,800, gross monthly income is $3,483. After federal, FICA, and New York state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,842 per month (or $1,312 every two weeks).

Is $41,800 a good salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

At $41,800, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 57.9% of the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY median household income ($72,237). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.8, making regional consumer goods and services 4.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.