Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL

In the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $39,900 ($19.18/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,100/year and the 90th was $70,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Florida tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $34,240 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 114.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,900$19.18 per hour · $3,325 monthly
10th Percentile$30,100$14.47/hr base
25th Percentile$31,500$15.14/hr base
75th Percentile$52,500$25.24/hr base
90th Percentile$70,200$33.75/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

$39,900
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,900
Net 86%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,240After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,853Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,317Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,608 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,052 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, 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 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (FL)
10th Percentile$14.47/hr$2,508$30,100$26,365
25th Percentile$15.14/hr$2,625$31,500$27,490
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.18/hr$3,325$39,900$34,240
75th Percentile$25.24/hr$4,375$52,500$44,364
90th Percentile$33.75/hr$5,850$70,200$58,216

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$76,527Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index114.214.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio52.1%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 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL is $39,900, which equates to approximately $3,325 per month or $19.18 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL is $19.18 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.47/hour and one in ten earned more than $33.75/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL span from $30,100 at the 10th percentile to $31,500 at the 25th, $52,500 at the 75th, and $70,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?

On a median gross salary of $39,900, an estimated $34,240 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,317 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Florida in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,660 (an effective rate of 14.2%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?

On the median annual salary of $39,900, gross monthly income is $3,325. After federal, FICA, and Florida state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,853 per month (or $1,317 every two weeks).

Is $39,900 a good salary in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?

At $39,900, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 52.1% of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL median household income ($76,527). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 114.2, making regional consumer goods and services 14.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.