Chico, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Chico, CA

In the Chico, CA metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $33,000 ($15.87/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,400/year and the 90th was $63,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,393 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,000$15.87 per hour · $2,750 monthly
10th Percentile$31,400$15.10/hr base
25th Percentile$31,900$15.34/hr base
75th Percentile$36,400$17.50/hr base
90th Percentile$63,000$30.29/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

$33,000
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,000
Net 86%
Fed 5%
CA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,393After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,366Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,092Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,780 / yr
California state income tax$303 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,525 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Chico, CA

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 Chico, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$15.10/hr$2,617$31,400$27,160
25th Percentile$15.34/hr$2,658$31,900$27,552
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.87/hr$2,750$33,000$28,393
75th Percentile$17.50/hr$3,033$36,400$30,989
90th Percentile$30.29/hr$5,250$63,000$50,981

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Chico, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$67,928Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.21.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Chico, CA

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Chico, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Chico, CA is $33,000, which equates to approximately $2,750 per month or $15.87 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Chico, CA?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Chico, CA is $15.87 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.10/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.29/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Chico, CA?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Chico, CA span from $31,400 at the 10th percentile to $31,900 at the 25th, $36,400 at the 75th, and $63,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Chico, CA?

On a median gross salary of $33,000, an estimated $28,393 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,092 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,607 (an effective rate of 14%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Chico, CA?

On the median annual salary of $33,000, gross monthly income is $2,750. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,366 per month (or $1,092 every two weeks).

Is $33,000 a good salary in Chico, CA?

At $33,000, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 48.6% of the Chico, CA median household income ($67,928). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.2, making regional consumer goods and services 1.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.