Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$35,800$17.21 per hour · $2,983 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, 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 | $16.39/hr | $2,842 | $34,100 | $29,233 |
| 25th Percentile | $16.63/hr | $2,883 | $34,600 | $29,614 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $17.21/hr | $2,983 | $35,800 | $30,531 |
| 75th Percentile | $19.04/hr | $3,300 | $39,600 | $33,432 |
| 90th Percentile | $32.88/hr | $5,700 | $68,400 | $54,703 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,800 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $35,800, which equates to approximately $2,983 per month or $17.21 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $17.21 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.39/hour and one in ten earned more than $32.88/hour.
What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $34,100 at the 10th percentile to $34,600 at the 25th, $39,600 at the 75th, and $68,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
On a median gross salary of $35,800, an estimated $30,531 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,174 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,269 (an effective rate of 14.7%).
How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
On the median annual salary of $35,800, gross monthly income is $2,983. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,544 per month (or $1,174 every two weeks).
Is $35,800 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
At $35,800, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 32.2% of the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA median household income ($111,093). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 109.9, making regional consumer goods and services 9.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.