Waiter and Waitress Salary in Cincinnati, OH
Waiters and Waitresses in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median $36,530 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,310 take-home, or $2,609 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Cincinnati, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,204
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,265
- Medicare (1.45%)$530
- Ohio income tax$222
- Take-home pay$31,310
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
The Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro spans Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Cincinnati, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,280 | $11.19 | $20,781 | $1,732 |
| 25th percentile | $29,260 | $14.07 | $25,668 | $2,139 |
| Median (50th) | $36,530 | $17.56 | $31,310 | $2,609 |
| 75th percentile | $49,640 | $23.87 | $41,483 | $3,457 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,040 | $35.60 | $59,663 | $4,972 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,530 buys in Cincinnati, OH
Prices in Cincinnati, OH are 4.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $31,310 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,830 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 Cincinnati, OH as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.11).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Cincinnati, OH ranks #87 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 |
| 87 | Cincinnati, OH | $36,530 | $31,310 | $32,830 |
*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 Ohio
- Lima, OH — $36,720
- Canton, OH — $36,210
- Springfield, OH — $36,060
- Mansfield, OH — $35,170
- Toledo, OH — $36,140
- Dayton, OH — $36,600
- Columbus, OH — $37,490
- Youngstown, OH — $33,910
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Cincinnati, OH?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $36,530 a year, or about $17.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,260 and $49,640.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Cincinnati, OH?
On the median $36,530 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $31,310 a year ($2,609 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $222 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 4.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,830 would in a typical U.S. city. Cincinnati, OH ranks #87 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Cincinnati, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cincinnati, OH is $1,043 a month ($1,342 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH
- Chef and Head Cook — $56,620
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,370
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,180
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,030
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,320
- Bartender — $34,240
- Cooks, Short Order — $32,180
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $32,070
- Dishwasher — $30,740
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,890
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,720
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,350