Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $47,400 ($22.79/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,100/year and the 90th was $99,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,522 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$47,400$22.79 per hour · $3,950 monthly
10th Percentile$36,100$17.36/hr base
25th Percentile$36,100$17.36/hr base
75th Percentile$77,800$37.40/hr base
90th Percentile$99,300$47.74/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

$47,400
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,400
Net 81%
Fed 7%
DC 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,522After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,210Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,482Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,508 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$1,744 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,626 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$30,120
25th Percentile$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$30,120
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.79/hr$3,950$47,400$38,522
75th Percentile$37.40/hr$6,483$77,800$59,824
90th Percentile$47.74/hr$8,275$99,300$73,122

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$47,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio37.4%of area median income

Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $47,400, which equates to approximately $3,950 per month or $22.79 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $22.79 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.36/hour and one in ten earned more than $47.74/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $36,100 at the 10th percentile to $36,100 at the 25th, $77,800 at the 75th, and $99,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $47,400, an estimated $38,522 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,482 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,878 (an effective rate of 18.7%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $47,400, gross monthly income is $3,950. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,210 per month (or $1,482 every two weeks).

Is $47,400 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $47,400, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 37.4% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.