Waiter and Waitress Salary in Asheville, NC
Waiters and Waitresses in the Asheville, NC metro area earn a median $34,450 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,995 take-home, or $2,416 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Asheville, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,954
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,136
- Medicare (1.45%)$500
- North Carolina income tax$866
- Take-home pay$28,995
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Asheville, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,080 | $8.69 | $16,286 | $1,357 |
| 25th percentile | $22,260 | $10.70 | $19,562 | $1,630 |
| Median (50th) | $34,450 | $16.56 | $28,995 | $2,416 |
| 75th percentile | $49,990 | $24.03 | $40,861 | $3,405 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,110 | $31.30 | $52,407 | $4,367 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,450 buys in Asheville, NC
Prices in Asheville, NC are 3.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 7% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $28,995 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,044 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Asheville, NC has 1.2× the national concentration of waiter and waitress jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Asheville, NC ranks #149 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 |
| 149 | Asheville, NC | $34,450 | $28,995 | $30,044 |
*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 North Carolina
- Pinehurst, NC — $34,080
- Charlotte, NC — $36,430
- Durham, NC — $35,230
- Raleigh, NC — $34,860
- Hickory, NC — $29,310
- Greenville, NC — $28,680
- Goldsboro, NC — $28,530
- Greensboro, NC — $30,060
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Asheville, NC?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Asheville, NC metro area is $34,450 a year, or about $16.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $22,260 and $49,990.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Asheville, NC?
On the median $34,450 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $28,995 a year ($2,416 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $866 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Asheville, NC a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 3.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,044 would in a typical U.S. city. Asheville, NC ranks #149 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Asheville, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Asheville, NC is $1,429 a month ($1,567 for two bedrooms) — 59% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Asheville, NC
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,960
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,590
- Bartender — $35,380
- Food Preparation Worker — $32,110
- Dishwasher — $31,860
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $30,090
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,810
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $28,700
- Cooks, Fast Food — $28,120