Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

In the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $33,300 ($16.01/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $17,600/year and the 90th was $59,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,914 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,300$16.01 per hour · $2,775 monthly
10th Percentile$17,600$8.46/hr base
25th Percentile$23,500$11.30/hr base
75th Percentile$44,900$21.59/hr base
90th Percentile$59,200$28.46/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

$33,300
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,300
Net 84%
Fed 5%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,914After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,326Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,074Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,816 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$1,022 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,547 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (PA)
10th Percentile$8.46/hr$1,467$17,600$15,563
25th Percentile$11.30/hr$1,958$23,500$20,241
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.01/hr$2,775$33,300$27,914
75th Percentile$21.59/hr$3,742$44,900$36,879
90th Percentile$28.46/hr$4,933$59,200$47,930

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,158Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.66.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio51.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is $33,300, which equates to approximately $2,775 per month or $16.01 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is $16.01 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.46/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.46/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA span from $17,600 at the 10th percentile to $23,500 at the 25th, $44,900 at the 75th, and $59,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

On a median gross salary of $33,300, an estimated $27,914 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,074 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Pennsylvania in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,386 (an effective rate of 16.2%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

On the median annual salary of $33,300, gross monthly income is $2,775. After federal, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,326 per month (or $1,074 every two weeks).

Is $33,300 a good salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

At $33,300, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 51.1% of the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA median household income ($65,158). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.6, making regional consumer goods and services 6.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.