Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$36,000$17.31 per hour · $3,000 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 | $16.44/hr | $2,850 | $34,200 | $29,309 |
| 25th Percentile | $16.73/hr | $2,900 | $34,800 | $29,767 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $17.31/hr | $3,000 | $36,000 | $30,683 |
| 75th Percentile | $19.13/hr | $3,317 | $39,800 | $33,585 |
| 90th Percentile | $33.08/hr | $5,733 | $68,800 | $54,952 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,000 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $36,000, which equates to approximately $3,000 per month or $17.31 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $17.31 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.44/hour and one in ten earned more than $33.08/hour.
What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA span from $34,200 at the 10th percentile to $34,800 at the 25th, $39,800 at the 75th, and $68,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
On a median gross salary of $36,000, an estimated $30,683 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,180 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,317 (an effective rate of 14.8%).
How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
On the median annual salary of $36,000, gross monthly income is $3,000. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,557 per month (or $1,180 every two weeks).
Is $36,000 a good salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
At $36,000, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 22.2% of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA median household income ($162,111). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 110.4, making regional consumer goods and services 10.4% more expensive than the U.S. average.