Portland-South Portland, ME · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Portland-South Portland, ME

In the Portland-South Portland, ME metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $45,500 ($21.88/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,000/year and the 90th was $87,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Maine tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,318 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,500$21.88 per hour · $3,792 monthly
10th Percentile$32,000$15.38/hr base
25th Percentile$34,500$16.59/hr base
75th Percentile$66,000$31.73/hr base
90th Percentile$87,000$41.83/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

$45,500
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,500
Net 82%
Fed 7%
ME 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,318After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,110Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,435Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,280 / yr
Maine state income tax$1,421 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,481 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Portland-South Portland, ME

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 Portland-South Portland, ME Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (ME)
10th Percentile$15.38/hr$2,667$32,000$27,254
25th Percentile$16.59/hr$2,875$34,500$29,118
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.88/hr$3,792$45,500$37,318
75th Percentile$31.73/hr$5,500$66,000$52,434
90th Percentile$41.83/hr$7,250$87,000$65,835

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Portland-South Portland, ME

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$92,175Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.91.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio49.4%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Portland-South Portland, ME

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Portland-South Portland, ME is $45,500, which equates to approximately $3,792 per month or $21.88 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Portland-South Portland, ME is $21.88 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $41.83/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Portland-South Portland, ME?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Portland-South Portland, ME span from $32,000 at the 10th percentile to $34,500 at the 25th, $66,000 at the 75th, and $87,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Portland-South Portland, ME?

On a median gross salary of $45,500, an estimated $37,318 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,435 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Maine in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,182 (an effective rate of 18%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Portland-South Portland, ME?

On the median annual salary of $45,500, gross monthly income is $3,792. After federal, FICA, and Maine state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,110 per month (or $1,435 every two weeks).

Is $45,500 a good salary in Portland-South Portland, ME?

At $45,500, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 49.4% of the Portland-South Portland, ME median household income ($92,175). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.9, making regional consumer goods and services 1.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.