Cape Girardeau, MO-IL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

In the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $26,900 ($12.93/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,900/year and the 90th was $42,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $22,575 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 86.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$26,900$12.93 per hour · $2,242 monthly
10th Percentile$26,900$12.93/hr base
25th Percentile$26,900$12.93/hr base
75th Percentile$28,200$13.56/hr base
90th Percentile$42,600$20.48/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

$26,900
$15,000$55,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$26,900
Net 84%
Fed 4%
IL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$22,575After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,881Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$868Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,080 / yr
Illinois state income tax$1,187 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,058 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

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 Cape Girardeau, MO-IL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$12.93/hr$2,242$26,900$22,575
25th Percentile$12.93/hr$2,242$26,900$22,575
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$12.93/hr$2,242$26,900$22,575
75th Percentile$13.56/hr$2,350$28,200$23,582
90th Percentile$20.48/hr$3,550$42,600$34,445

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$26,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$66,759Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index86.113.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.3%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL is $26,900, which equates to approximately $2,242 per month or $12.93 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL is $12.93 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.93/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.48/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL span from $26,900 at the 10th percentile to $26,900 at the 25th, $28,200 at the 75th, and $42,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

On a median gross salary of $26,900, an estimated $22,575 lands in net take-home pay per year ($868 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,325 (an effective rate of 16.1%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

On the median annual salary of $26,900, gross monthly income is $2,242. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,881 per month (or $868 every two weeks).

Is $26,900 a good salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

At $26,900, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 40.3% of the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL median household income ($66,759). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 86.1, making regional consumer goods and services 13.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.