Salaries › Waiter / Waitress › New York
Waiter / Waitress Salary in New York (2026)
$22.61 per hour · take-home ≈ $38,018/year ($3,168/month) for a single filer
Waiter / Waitress pay range in New York
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $33,540 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $34,520 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $47,020 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $64,480 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $83,210 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 142,940 Waiter / Waitress jobs in New York (occupation code 35-3031, “Waiters and Waitresses”).
Gross vs. take-home in New York
A median Waiter / Waitress salary of $47,020 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus New York state income tax, a single filer keeps about $38,018 — an effective tax rate of 19.1%.
| Gross (median) | $47,020 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,462 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,597 |
| New York state income tax | −$1,942 |
| Take-home (annual) | $38,018 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,168 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free New York paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Waiter / Waitress make in New York?
- The median Waiter / Waitress salary in New York is $47,020 per year ($22.61 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $34,520 and $64,480.
- What is the take-home pay for a Waiter / Waitress in New York?
- On the median salary of $47,020, a single filer in New York takes home about $38,018 per year ($3,168 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.1%.
- How many Waiter / Waitress jobs are there in New York?
- BLS counts 142,940 Waiter / Waitress jobs in New York in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Waiter / Waitresss
Other salaries in New York
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified New York state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for New York.