Memphis, TN-MS-AR · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

In the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $26,200 ($12.60/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $24,400/year and the 90th was $46,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arkansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $22,696 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$26,200$12.60 per hour · $2,183 monthly
10th Percentile$24,400$11.73/hr base
25th Percentile$24,800$11.92/hr base
75th Percentile$32,300$15.53/hr base
90th Percentile$46,500$22.36/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

$26,200
$15,000$55,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$26,200
Net 87%
Fed 4%
AR 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$22,696After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,891Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$873Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,010 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$490 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,004 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AR)
10th Percentile$11.73/hr$2,033$24,400$21,275
25th Percentile$11.92/hr$2,067$24,800$21,591
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$12.60/hr$2,183$26,200$22,696
75th Percentile$15.53/hr$2,692$32,300$27,419
90th Percentile$22.36/hr$3,875$46,500$38,275

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$26,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$66,401Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.27.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $26,200, which equates to approximately $2,183 per month or $12.60 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $12.60 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.73/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.36/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Memphis, TN-MS-AR span from $24,400 at the 10th percentile to $24,800 at the 25th, $32,300 at the 75th, and $46,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

On a median gross salary of $26,200, an estimated $22,696 lands in net take-home pay per year ($873 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arkansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,504 (an effective rate of 13.4%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

On the median annual salary of $26,200, gross monthly income is $2,183. After federal, FICA, and Arkansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,891 per month (or $873 every two weeks).

Is $26,200 a good salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

At $26,200, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 39.5% of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR median household income ($66,401). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.2, making regional consumer goods and services 7.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.