Owensboro, KY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Owensboro, KY

In the Owensboro, KY metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $29,200 ($14.04/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $16,200/year and the 90th was $61,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Kentucky tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,738 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,200$14.04 per hour · $2,433 monthly
10th Percentile$16,200$7.79/hr base
25th Percentile$17,900$8.61/hr base
75th Percentile$44,900$21.59/hr base
90th Percentile$61,000$29.33/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

$29,200
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,200
Net 85%
Fed 5%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,738After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,061Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$951Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,324 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$904 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,234 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Owensboro, KY

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 Owensboro, KY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (KY)
10th Percentile$7.79/hr$1,350$16,200$14,906
25th Percentile$8.61/hr$1,492$17,900$16,147
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.04/hr$2,433$29,200$24,738
75th Percentile$21.59/hr$3,742$44,900$36,803
90th Percentile$29.33/hr$5,083$61,000$49,176

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Owensboro, KY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$68,002Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.611.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Owensboro, KY

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Owensboro, KY?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Owensboro, KY is $29,200, which equates to approximately $2,433 per month or $14.04 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Owensboro, KY?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Owensboro, KY is $14.04 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $7.79/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.33/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Owensboro, KY?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Owensboro, KY span from $16,200 at the 10th percentile to $17,900 at the 25th, $44,900 at the 75th, and $61,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Owensboro, KY?

On a median gross salary of $29,200, an estimated $24,738 lands in net take-home pay per year ($951 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kentucky in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,462 (an effective rate of 15.3%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Owensboro, KY?

On the median annual salary of $29,200, gross monthly income is $2,433. After federal, FICA, and Kentucky state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,061 per month (or $951 every two weeks).

Is $29,200 a good salary in Owensboro, KY?

At $29,200, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 42.9% of the Owensboro, KY median household income ($68,002). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.6, making regional consumer goods and services 11.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.