Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

In the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $29,100 ($13.99/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $18,000/year and the 90th was $49,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,733 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,100$13.99 per hour · $2,425 monthly
10th Percentile$18,000$8.65/hr base
25th Percentile$21,300$10.24/hr base
75th Percentile$37,300$17.93/hr base
90th Percentile$49,400$23.75/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

$29,100
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,100
Net 85%
Fed 5%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,733After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,061Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$951Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,312 / yr
Indiana state income tax$829 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,226 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$8.65/hr$1,500$18,000$15,932
25th Percentile$10.24/hr$1,775$21,300$18,552
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.99/hr$2,425$29,100$24,733
75th Percentile$17.93/hr$3,108$37,300$31,080
90th Percentile$23.75/hr$4,117$49,400$40,445

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$81,120Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.44.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio35.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN is $29,100, which equates to approximately $2,425 per month or $13.99 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN is $13.99 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.65/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.75/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN span from $18,000 at the 10th percentile to $21,300 at the 25th, $37,300 at the 75th, and $49,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

On a median gross salary of $29,100, an estimated $24,733 lands in net take-home pay per year ($951 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,367 (an effective rate of 15%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

On the median annual salary of $29,100, gross monthly income is $2,425. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,061 per month (or $951 every two weeks).

Is $29,100 a good salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

At $29,100, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 35.9% of the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN median household income ($81,120). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.4, making regional consumer goods and services 4.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.