Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

In the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $34,000 ($16.35/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,600/year and the 90th was $59,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Florida tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,499 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,000$16.35 per hour · $2,833 monthly
10th Percentile$25,600$12.31/hr base
25th Percentile$26,800$12.88/hr base
75th Percentile$44,700$21.49/hr base
90th Percentile$59,700$28.70/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

$34,000
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,000
Net 87%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,499After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,458Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,135Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,900 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,601 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (FL)
10th Percentile$12.31/hr$2,133$25,600$22,692
25th Percentile$12.88/hr$2,233$26,800$23,680
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.35/hr$2,833$34,000$29,499
75th Percentile$21.49/hr$3,725$44,700$38,096
90th Percentile$28.70/hr$4,975$59,700$50,149

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,978Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.12.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio51.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL is $34,000, which equates to approximately $2,833 per month or $16.35 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL is $16.35 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.31/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.70/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL span from $25,600 at the 10th percentile to $26,800 at the 25th, $44,700 at the 75th, and $59,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?

On a median gross salary of $34,000, an estimated $29,499 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,135 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Florida in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,501 (an effective rate of 13.2%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?

On the median annual salary of $34,000, gross monthly income is $2,833. After federal, FICA, and Florida state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,458 per month (or $1,135 every two weeks).

Is $34,000 a good salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?

At $34,000, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 51.5% of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL median household income ($65,978). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.1, making regional consumer goods and services 2.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.