Tucson, AZ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Tucson, AZ

In the Tucson, AZ metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $42,300 ($20.34/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,400/year and the 90th was $76,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arizona tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,504 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$42,300$20.34 per hour · $3,525 monthly
10th Percentile$29,400$14.13/hr base
25th Percentile$32,600$15.67/hr base
75th Percentile$60,700$29.18/hr base
90th Percentile$76,000$36.54/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

$42,300
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$42,300
Net 84%
Fed 7%
AZ 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,504After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,959Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,366Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,896 / yr
Arizona state income tax$664 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,236 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Tucson, AZ

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 Tucson, AZ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AZ)
10th Percentile$14.13/hr$2,450$29,400$25,462
25th Percentile$15.67/hr$2,717$32,600$27,953
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.34/hr$3,525$42,300$35,504
75th Percentile$29.18/hr$5,058$60,700$49,829
90th Percentile$36.54/hr$6,333$76,000$60,790

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Tucson, AZ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$70,315Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.93.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio60.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Tucson, AZ

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Tucson, AZ?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Tucson, AZ is $42,300, which equates to approximately $3,525 per month or $20.34 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Tucson, AZ?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Tucson, AZ is $20.34 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.13/hour and one in ten earned more than $36.54/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Tucson, AZ?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Tucson, AZ span from $29,400 at the 10th percentile to $32,600 at the 25th, $60,700 at the 75th, and $76,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Tucson, AZ?

On a median gross salary of $42,300, an estimated $35,504 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,366 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arizona in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,796 (an effective rate of 16.1%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Tucson, AZ?

On the median annual salary of $42,300, gross monthly income is $3,525. After federal, FICA, and Arizona state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,959 per month (or $1,366 every two weeks).

Is $42,300 a good salary in Tucson, AZ?

At $42,300, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 60.2% of the Tucson, AZ median household income ($70,315). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.9, making regional consumer goods and services 3.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.