Waiters and Waitresses pay in California
The employment-weighted average of local median wages for Waiters and Waitresses in California is $36,300, based on 228,790 workers. Among the 36 states with published data, that ranks number 15. The BLS national median for the occupation is $35,230, so California averages 3.0% above it.
Inside California, pay depends on the labor market. The highest local median is $41,920 in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area and the lowest is $34,800 in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA, a difference of $7,120 across 6 wage areas.
Cost of living for Waiters and Waitresses in California
We compare 16 California counties after federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics: a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline. Yolo County, CA leaves the largest yearly margin, $241. In Marin County, CA the basics cost $12,861 more than take-home pay. The median wage covers all four basics in 1 of the 16 counties.
Waiters and Waitresses in other states
The states with the highest average local median wages for Waiters and Waitresses are Washington ($54,839), Oregon ($50,502), New York ($47,178) and District of Columbia ($46,040).
Frequently asked questions: Waiters and Waitresses in California
How much do Waiters and Waitresses earn in California?
The employment-weighted average of local median wages is $36,300, from $34,800 to $41,920 depending on the labor market.
Which California county is best for Waiters and Waitresses?
Yolo County, CA leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes and the four basics ($241). Riverside County, CA follows at -$385.