Waiter and Waitress Salary in Anchorage, AK
Waiters and Waitresses in the Anchorage, AK metro area earn a median $26,080 a year — 26% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $23,087 take-home, or $1,924 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Anchorage, AK. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$998
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,617
- Medicare (1.45%)$378
- Alaska income tax$0
- Take-home pay$23,087
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 0.00% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Anchorage, AK
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,770 | $11.91 | $22,008 | $1,834 |
| 25th percentile | $25,250 | $12.14 | $22,403 | $1,867 |
| Median (50th) | $26,080 | $12.54 | $23,087 | $1,924 |
| 75th percentile | $30,110 | $14.48 | $26,373 | $2,198 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,840 | $31.65 | $55,082 | $4,590 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Alaska resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $26,080 buys in Anchorage, AK
Prices in Anchorage, AK are 5.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.10× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $23,087 take-home pay has the buying power of $21,900 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Waiter and Waitress jobs are about as common in Anchorage, AK as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Anchorage, AK ranks #322 of 375 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $82,550 | $62,160 | $56,823 |
| 2 | Burlington, VT | $61,620 | $50,061 | $49,591 |
| 3 | Bellingham, WA | $56,700 | $47,738 | $46,198 |
| 4 | Bremerton, WA | $55,270 | $46,589 | $44,116 |
| 5 | Mount Vernon, WA | $53,060 | $44,814 | $43,745 |
| 6 | Yakima, WA | $49,060 | $41,600 | $43,539 |
| 7 | Kennewick, WA | $51,460 | $43,528 | $43,494 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $57,280 | $48,204 | $43,375 |
| 322 | Anchorage, AK | $26,080 | $23,087 | $21,900 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 375 metros →
Waiter and Waitress salaries elsewhere in Alaska
- Fairbanks, AK — $26,530
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Anchorage, AK?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Anchorage, AK metro area is $26,080 a year, or about $12.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $25,250 and $30,110.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Anchorage, AK?
On the median $26,080 salary, a single filer living in Alaska takes home about $23,087 a year ($1,924 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Anchorage, AK a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 26% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 5.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $21,900 would in a typical U.S. city. Anchorage, AK ranks #322 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Anchorage, AK?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Anchorage, AK is $1,190 a month ($1,562 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Anchorage, AK
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $48,290
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,920
- Cooks, Restaurant — $40,140
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,760
- Cooks, Fast Food — $33,960
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $33,280
- Dishwasher — $31,940
- Bartender — $31,200
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $30,140
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $27,040