Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $30,200 ($14.52/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $16,100/year and the 90th was $58,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,749 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$30,200$14.52 per hour · $2,517 monthly
10th Percentile$16,100$7.74/hr base
25th Percentile$19,500$9.38/hr base
75th Percentile$45,500$21.88/hr base
90th Percentile$58,800$28.27/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

$30,200
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$30,200
Net 85%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,749After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,146Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$990Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,444 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$696 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,310 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$7.74/hr$1,342$16,100$14,735
25th Percentile$9.38/hr$1,625$19,500$17,399
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.52/hr$2,517$30,200$25,749
75th Percentile$21.88/hr$3,792$45,500$37,433
90th Percentile$28.27/hr$4,900$58,800$47,588

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,787Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.511.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.1%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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $30,200, which equates to approximately $2,517 per month or $14.52 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $14.52 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $7.74/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.27/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC span from $16,100 at the 10th percentile to $19,500 at the 25th, $45,500 at the 75th, and $58,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On a median gross salary of $30,200, an estimated $25,749 lands in net take-home pay per year ($990 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,451 (an effective rate of 14.7%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On the median annual salary of $30,200, gross monthly income is $2,517. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,146 per month (or $990 every two weeks).

Is $30,200 a good salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

At $30,200, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 48.1% of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC median household income ($62,787). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.5, making regional consumer goods and services 11.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.