Waiter and Waitress Salary in Charlottesville, VA
Waiters and Waitresses in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median $44,030 a year — 25% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,840 take-home, or $2,987 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Charlottesville, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,104
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,730
- Medicare (1.45%)$638
- Virginia income tax$1,718
- Take-home pay$35,840
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Charlottesville, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,700 | $13.80 | $24,404 | $2,034 |
| 25th percentile | $34,950 | $16.80 | $29,067 | $2,422 |
| Median (50th) | $44,030 | $21.17 | $35,840 | $2,987 |
| 75th percentile | $56,850 | $27.33 | $45,404 | $3,784 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,230 | $37.13 | $59,535 | $4,961 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,030 buys in Charlottesville, VA
Prices in Charlottesville, VA are 0.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.07× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $35,840 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,149 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Charlottesville, VA has 1.3× 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
Charlottesville, VA ranks #44 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 |
| 44 | Charlottesville, VA | $44,030 | $35,840 | $36,149 |
*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 Virginia
- Harrisonburg, VA — $44,760
- Staunton, VA — $37,910
- Lynchburg, VA — $36,780
- Blacksburg, VA — $37,670
- Roanoke, VA — $37,380
- Virginia Beach, VA — $39,020
- Richmond, VA — $38,470
- Winchester, VA — $37,680
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Charlottesville, VA?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $44,030 a year, or about $21.17 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,950 and $56,850.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Charlottesville, VA?
On the median $44,030 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $35,840 a year ($2,987 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,718 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Charlottesville, VA a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 25% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 0.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,149 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlottesville, VA ranks #44 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Charlottesville, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlottesville, VA is $1,602 a month ($1,824 for two bedrooms) — 54% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
- Bartender — $48,210
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,800
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $38,510
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,960
- Dishwasher — $33,090
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $30,150