New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

In the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $46,500 ($22.36/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,300/year and the 90th was $81,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Jersey tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,521 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 112.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,500$22.36 per hour · $3,875 monthly
10th Percentile$33,300$16.01/hr base
25th Percentile$36,900$17.74/hr base
75th Percentile$58,400$28.08/hr base
90th Percentile$81,200$39.04/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

$46,500
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,500
Net 83%
Fed 7%
NJ 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,521After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,210Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,482Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,400 / yr
New Jersey state income tax$1,021 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,557 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

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 York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NJ)
10th Percentile$16.01/hr$2,775$33,300$28,441
25th Percentile$17.74/hr$3,075$36,900$31,255
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.36/hr$3,875$46,500$38,521
75th Percentile$28.08/hr$4,867$58,400$47,426
90th Percentile$39.04/hr$6,767$81,200$62,972

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$99,155Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index112.612.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $46,500, which equates to approximately $3,875 per month or $22.36 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $22.36 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.01/hour and one in ten earned more than $39.04/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ span from $33,300 at the 10th percentile to $36,900 at the 25th, $58,400 at the 75th, and $81,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

On a median gross salary of $46,500, an estimated $38,521 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,482 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Jersey in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,979 (an effective rate of 17.2%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

On the median annual salary of $46,500, gross monthly income is $3,875. After federal, FICA, and New Jersey state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,210 per month (or $1,482 every two weeks).

Is $46,500 a good salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

At $46,500, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 46.9% of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ median household income ($99,155). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 112.6, making regional consumer goods and services 12.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.