New Orleans-Metairie, LA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA

In the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $15,800 ($7.60/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $15,800/year and the 90th was $40,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Louisiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $14,504 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$15,800$7.60 per hour · $1,317 monthly
10th Percentile$15,800$7.60/hr base
25th Percentile$15,800$7.60/hr base
75th Percentile$24,500$11.78/hr base
90th Percentile$40,000$19.23/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

$15,800
$15,000$35,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$15,800
Net 92%
Fed 0%
LA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$14,504After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,209Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$558Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate8.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$0 / yr
Louisiana state income tax$88 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,209 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in New Orleans-Metairie, LA

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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (LA)
10th Percentile$7.60/hr$1,317$15,800$14,504
25th Percentile$7.60/hr$1,317$15,800$14,504
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$7.60/hr$1,317$15,800$14,504
75th Percentile$11.78/hr$2,042$24,500$21,437
90th Percentile$19.23/hr$3,333$40,000$33,506

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in New Orleans-Metairie, LA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$15,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,655Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.67.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio25.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in New Orleans-Metairie, LA

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $15,800, which equates to approximately $1,317 per month or $7.60 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $7.60 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $7.60/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.23/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in New Orleans-Metairie, LA span from $15,800 at the 10th percentile to $15,800 at the 25th, $24,500 at the 75th, and $40,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

On a median gross salary of $15,800, an estimated $14,504 lands in net take-home pay per year ($558 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Louisiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $1,296 (an effective rate of 8.2%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

On the median annual salary of $15,800, gross monthly income is $1,317. After federal, FICA, and Louisiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,209 per month (or $558 every two weeks).

Is $15,800 a good salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

At $15,800, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 25.2% of the New Orleans-Metairie, LA median household income ($62,655). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.6, making regional consumer goods and services 7.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.