Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$35,500$17.07 per hour · $2,958 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 | $16.20/hr | $2,808 | $33,700 | $28,927 |
| 25th Percentile | $16.49/hr | $2,858 | $34,300 | $29,385 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $17.07/hr | $2,958 | $35,500 | $30,302 |
| 75th Percentile | $18.85/hr | $3,267 | $39,200 | $33,127 |
| 90th Percentile | $32.60/hr | $5,650 | $67,800 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,500 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 Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $35,500, which equates to approximately $2,958 per month or $17.07 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $17.07 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.20/hour and one in ten earned more than $32.60/hour.
What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA span from $33,700 at the 10th percentile to $34,300 at the 25th, $39,200 at the 75th, and $67,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
On a median gross salary of $35,500, an estimated $30,302 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,165 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,198 (an effective rate of 14.6%).
How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
On the median annual salary of $35,500, gross monthly income is $2,958. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,525 per month (or $1,165 every two weeks).
Is $35,500 a good salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
At $35,500, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 36.2% of the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA median household income ($98,161). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.8, making regional consumer goods and services 8.8% more expensive than the U.S. average.