Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $45,100 ($21.68/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,400/year and the 90th was $81,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arizona tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,684 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,100$21.68 per hour · $3,758 monthly
10th Percentile$31,400$15.10/hr base
25th Percentile$34,700$16.68/hr base
75th Percentile$64,700$31.11/hr base
90th Percentile$81,000$38.94/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

$45,100
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,100
Net 84%
Fed 7%
AZ 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,684After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,140Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,449Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,232 / yr
Arizona state income tax$734 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,450 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AZ)
10th Percentile$15.10/hr$2,617$31,400$27,019
25th Percentile$16.68/hr$2,892$34,700$29,588
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.68/hr$3,758$45,100$37,684
75th Percentile$31.11/hr$5,392$64,700$52,943
90th Percentile$38.94/hr$6,750$81,000$64,182

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$88,301Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.33.3% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio51.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ is $45,100, which equates to approximately $3,758 per month or $21.68 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ is $21.68 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.10/hour and one in ten earned more than $38.94/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ span from $31,400 at the 10th percentile to $34,700 at the 25th, $64,700 at the 75th, and $81,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?

On a median gross salary of $45,100, an estimated $37,684 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,449 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arizona in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,416 (an effective rate of 16.4%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?

On the median annual salary of $45,100, gross monthly income is $3,758. After federal, FICA, and Arizona state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,140 per month (or $1,449 every two weeks).

Is $45,100 a good salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?

At $45,100, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 51.1% of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ median household income ($88,301). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.3, making regional consumer goods and services 3.3% more expensive than the U.S. average.