Raleigh-Cary, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC

In the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $33,500 ($16.11/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $17,800/year and the 90th was $65,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,269 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 98.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,500$16.11 per hour · $2,792 monthly
10th Percentile$17,800$8.56/hr base
25th Percentile$21,600$10.38/hr base
75th Percentile$50,500$24.28/hr base
90th Percentile$65,200$31.35/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

$33,500
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,500
Net 84%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,269After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,356Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,087Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,840 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$828 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,563 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Raleigh-Cary, NC

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 Raleigh-Cary, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$8.56/hr$1,483$17,800$16,067
25th Percentile$10.38/hr$1,800$21,600$19,044
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.11/hr$2,792$33,500$28,269
75th Percentile$24.28/hr$4,208$50,500$41,251
90th Percentile$31.35/hr$5,433$65,200$52,475

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Raleigh-Cary, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$100,103Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index98.21.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio33.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Raleigh-Cary, NC

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $33,500, which equates to approximately $2,792 per month or $16.11 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $16.11 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.56/hour and one in ten earned more than $31.35/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Raleigh-Cary, NC span from $17,800 at the 10th percentile to $21,600 at the 25th, $50,500 at the 75th, and $65,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

On a median gross salary of $33,500, an estimated $28,269 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,087 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,231 (an effective rate of 15.6%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

On the median annual salary of $33,500, gross monthly income is $2,792. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,356 per month (or $1,087 every two weeks).

Is $33,500 a good salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

At $33,500, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 33.5% of the Raleigh-Cary, NC median household income ($100,103). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 98.2, making regional consumer goods and services 1.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.