Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $58,300 ($28.03/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,100/year and the 90th was $98,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $49,024 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 111.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$58,300$28.03 per hour · $4,858 monthly
10th Percentile$38,100$18.32/hr base
25th Percentile$47,700$22.93/hr base
75th Percentile$76,700$36.88/hr base
90th Percentile$98,600$47.40/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

$58,300
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$58,300
Net 84%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$49,024After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,085Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,886Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,816 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,460 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$18.32/hr$3,175$38,100$32,793
25th Percentile$22.93/hr$3,975$47,700$40,507
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$28.03/hr$4,858$58,300$49,024
75th Percentile$36.88/hr$6,392$76,700$62,788
90th Percentile$47.40/hr$8,217$98,600$78,195

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$58,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$115,177Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index111.111.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio50.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $58,300, which equates to approximately $4,858 per month or $28.03 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $28.03 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.32/hour and one in ten earned more than $47.40/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA span from $38,100 at the 10th percentile to $47,700 at the 25th, $76,700 at the 75th, and $98,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

On a median gross salary of $58,300, an estimated $49,024 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,886 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,276 (an effective rate of 15.9%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

On the median annual salary of $58,300, gross monthly income is $4,858. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,085 per month (or $1,886 every two weeks).

Is $58,300 a good salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

At $58,300, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 50.6% of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA median household income ($115,177). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.1, making regional consumer goods and services 11.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.