Waiter and Waitress Salary in Fargo, ND
Waiters and Waitresses in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median $30,330 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,550 take-home, or $2,213 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Fargo, ND. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,460
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,880
- Medicare (1.45%)$440
- North Dakota income tax$0
- Take-home pay$26,550
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Fargo, ND-MN metro spans North Dakota, Minnesota. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Fargo, ND
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,470 | $8.88 | $16,820 | $1,402 |
| 25th percentile | $22,840 | $10.98 | $20,419 | $1,702 |
| Median (50th) | $30,330 | $14.58 | $26,550 | $2,213 |
| 75th percentile | $42,740 | $20.55 | $36,522 | $3,043 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,910 | $28.80 | $50,318 | $4,193 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,330 buys in Fargo, ND
Prices in Fargo, ND are 9.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 19% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $26,550 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,217 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 Fargo, ND as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Fargo, ND ranks #165 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 |
| 165 | Fargo, ND | $30,330 | $26,550 | $29,217 |
*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 Dakota
- Minot, ND — $30,930
- Bismarck, ND — $32,310
- Grand Forks, ND — $27,820
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Fargo, ND?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $30,330 a year, or about $14.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $22,840 and $42,740.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Fargo, ND?
On the median $30,330 salary, a single filer living in North Dakota takes home about $26,550 a year ($2,213 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Fargo, ND a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 9.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,217 would in a typical U.S. city. Fargo, ND ranks #165 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Fargo, ND?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fargo, ND is $917 a month ($1,112 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,480
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $41,120
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,020
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $36,720
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,590
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $30,950
- Bartender — $28,390