Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$36,500$17.55 per hour · $3,042 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $16.68/hr | $2,892 | $34,700 | $29,691 |
| 25th Percentile | $16.97/hr | $2,942 | $35,300 | $30,149 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $17.55/hr | $3,042 | $36,500 | $31,065 |
| 75th Percentile | $19.38/hr | $3,358 | $40,300 | $33,966 |
| 90th Percentile | $33.51/hr | $5,808 | $69,700 | $55,513 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,500 measures up against local economic conditions:
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Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $36,500, which equates to approximately $3,042 per month or $17.55 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $17.55 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.68/hour and one in ten earned more than $33.51/hour.
What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA span from $34,700 at the 10th percentile to $35,300 at the 25th, $40,300 at the 75th, and $69,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
On a median gross salary of $36,500, an estimated $31,065 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,195 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,435 (an effective rate of 14.9%).
How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
On the median annual salary of $36,500, gross monthly income is $3,042. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,589 per month (or $1,195 every two weeks).
Is $36,500 a good salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
At $36,500, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 34.3% of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA median household income ($106,268). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.9, making regional consumer goods and services 11.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.