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Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

In the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $37,900 ($18.22/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,100/year and the 90th was $63,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Delaware tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,206 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 102.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,900$18.22 per hour · $3,158 monthly
10th Percentile$32,100$15.43/hr base
25th Percentile$32,100$15.43/hr base
75th Percentile$47,700$22.93/hr base
90th Percentile$63,700$30.63/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 payWhat $38,000 a year leaves after tax in DelawareFederal tax, FICA and Delaware withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $38,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $38,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Delaware publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Delaware.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$37,900
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,900
Net 82%
Fed 6%
DE 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,206After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,601Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,200Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,368 / yr
Delaware state income tax$1,427 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,899 / yr
Customize deductions in full Delaware calculator

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DE)
10th Percentile$15.43/hr$2,675$32,100$26,868
25th Percentile$15.43/hr$2,675$32,100$26,868
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.22/hr$3,158$37,900$31,206
75th Percentile$22.93/hr$3,975$47,700$38,536
90th Percentile$30.63/hr$5,308$63,700$50,500

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$91,289Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index102.62.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.5%of area median income

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

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Waiters and Waitresses pay in other Delaware metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $37,900, which equates to approximately $3,158 per month or $18.22 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $18.22 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.43/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.63/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD span from $32,100 at the 10th percentile to $32,100 at the 25th, $47,700 at the 75th, and $63,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

On a median gross salary of $37,900, an estimated $31,206 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,200 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Delaware in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,694 (an effective rate of 17.7%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

On the median annual salary of $37,900, gross monthly income is $3,158. After federal, FICA, and Delaware state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,601 per month (or $1,200 every two weeks).

Is $37,900 a good salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

At $37,900, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 41.5% of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD median household income ($91,289). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 102.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.