EN

Language

Search
CostAnswer

Explore

Language

MethodologyAbout

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

In the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $35,300 ($16.97/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,600/year and the 90th was $62,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Florida tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,544 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,300$16.97 per hour · $2,942 monthly
10th Percentile$26,600$12.79/hr base
25th Percentile$27,900$13.41/hr base
75th Percentile$46,400$22.31/hr base
90th Percentile$62,000$29.81/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 payWhat $35,000 a year leaves after tax in FloridaFederal tax, FICA and Florida withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$17 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $35,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $35,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Florida publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Florida.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$35,300
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,300
Net 87%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,544After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,545Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,175Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,056 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,700 / yr
Customize deductions in full Florida calculator

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (FL)
10th Percentile$12.79/hr$2,217$26,600$23,515
25th Percentile$13.41/hr$2,325$27,900$24,586
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.97/hr$2,942$35,300$30,544
75th Percentile$22.31/hr$3,867$46,400$39,462
90th Percentile$29.81/hr$5,167$62,000$51,997

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$74,392Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.90.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio47.5%of area median income

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

Compare markets

Waiters and Waitresses pay in other Florida metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL is $35,300, which equates to approximately $2,942 per month or $16.97 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL is $16.97 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.79/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.81/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL span from $26,600 at the 10th percentile to $27,900 at the 25th, $46,400 at the 75th, and $62,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

On a median gross salary of $35,300, an estimated $30,544 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,175 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Florida in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,756 (an effective rate of 13.5%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

On the median annual salary of $35,300, gross monthly income is $2,942. After federal, FICA, and Florida state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,545 per month (or $1,175 every two weeks).

Is $35,300 a good salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

At $35,300, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 47.5% of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL median household income ($74,392). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.9, making regional consumer goods and services 0.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.