Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

In the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $30,600 ($14.71/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $17,300/year and the 90th was $63,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,146 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$30,600$14.71 per hour · $2,550 monthly
10th Percentile$17,300$8.32/hr base
25th Percentile$21,600$10.38/hr base
75th Percentile$44,500$21.39/hr base
90th Percentile$63,600$30.58/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

$30,600
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$30,600
Net 85%
Fed 5%
WI 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,146After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,179Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,006Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,492 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$621 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,341 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$8.32/hr$1,442$17,300$15,764
25th Percentile$10.38/hr$1,800$21,600$19,148
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.71/hr$2,550$30,600$26,146
75th Percentile$21.39/hr$3,708$44,500$36,630
90th Percentile$30.58/hr$5,300$63,600$51,016

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$78,218Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.93.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $30,600, which equates to approximately $2,550 per month or $14.71 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $14.71 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.32/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.58/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI span from $17,300 at the 10th percentile to $21,600 at the 25th, $44,500 at the 75th, and $63,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

On a median gross salary of $30,600, an estimated $26,146 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,006 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,454 (an effective rate of 14.6%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

On the median annual salary of $30,600, gross monthly income is $2,550. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,179 per month (or $1,006 every two weeks).

Is $30,600 a good salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

At $30,600, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 39.1% of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI median household income ($78,218). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.9, making regional consumer goods and services 3.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.