Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $33,300 ($16.01/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $17,700/year and the 90th was $64,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,117 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,300$16.01 per hour · $2,775 monthly
10th Percentile$17,700$8.51/hr base
25th Percentile$21,500$10.34/hr base
75th Percentile$50,200$24.13/hr base
90th Percentile$64,800$31.15/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

$33,300
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,300
Net 84%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,117After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,343Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,081Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,816 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$820 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,547 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$8.51/hr$1,475$17,700$15,988
25th Percentile$10.34/hr$1,792$21,500$18,966
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.01/hr$2,775$33,300$28,117
75th Percentile$24.13/hr$4,183$50,200$41,021
90th Percentile$31.15/hr$5,400$64,800$52,170

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,500Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.62.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $33,300, which equates to approximately $2,775 per month or $16.01 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $16.01 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.51/hour and one in ten earned more than $31.15/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $17,700 at the 10th percentile to $21,500 at the 25th, $50,200 at the 75th, and $64,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $33,300, an estimated $28,117 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,081 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,183 (an effective rate of 15.6%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $33,300, gross monthly income is $2,775. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,343 per month (or $1,081 every two weeks).

Is $33,300 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $33,300, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 39.9% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.