Waiter and Waitress Salary in Fairbanks, AK
Waiters and Waitresses in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area earn a median $26,530 a year — 25% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $23,457 take-home, or $1,955 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Fairbanks, AK. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,043
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,645
- Medicare (1.45%)$385
- Alaska income tax$0
- Take-home pay$23,457
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 0.00% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Fairbanks, AK
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,860 | $11.95 | $22,082 | $1,840 |
| 25th percentile | $25,640 | $12.33 | $22,725 | $1,894 |
| Median (50th) | $26,530 | $12.75 | $23,457 | $1,955 |
| 75th percentile | $32,150 | $15.46 | $28,013 | $2,334 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,190 | $30.38 | $52,953 | $4,413 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Alaska resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $26,530 buys in Fairbanks, AK
Prices in Fairbanks, AK are 3.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 7% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $23,457 take-home pay has the buying power of $22,728 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 Fairbanks, AK as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Fairbanks, AK ranks #300 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 |
| 300 | Fairbanks, AK | $26,530 | $23,457 | $22,728 |
*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
- Anchorage, AK — $26,080
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Fairbanks, AK?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area is $26,530 a year, or about $12.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $25,640 and $32,150.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Fairbanks, AK?
On the median $26,530 salary, a single filer living in Alaska takes home about $23,457 a year ($1,955 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Fairbanks, AK a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 25% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 3.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $22,728 would in a typical U.S. city. Fairbanks, AK ranks #300 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Fairbanks, AK?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fairbanks, AK is $1,277 a month ($1,676 for two bedrooms) — 65% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Fairbanks, AK
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $30,170