Waiter and Waitress Salary in Lakeland, FL
Waiters and Waitresses in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median $35,270 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,519 take-home, or $2,543 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Lakeland, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,052
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,187
- Medicare (1.45%)$511
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$30,519
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Lakeland, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,050 | $13.00 | $23,886 | $1,990 |
| 25th percentile | $28,490 | $13.70 | $25,072 | $2,089 |
| Median (50th) | $35,270 | $16.96 | $30,519 | $2,543 |
| 75th percentile | $45,560 | $21.90 | $38,787 | $3,232 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,030 | $28.86 | $50,414 | $4,201 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,270 buys in Lakeland, FL
Prices in Lakeland, FL are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $30,519 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,418 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 Lakeland, FL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Lakeland, FL ranks #113 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 |
| 113 | Lakeland, FL | $35,270 | $30,519 | $31,418 |
*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 Florida
- Wildwood, FL — $36,340
- Crestview, FL — $37,370
- Homosassa Springs, FL — $35,410
- Sebring, FL — $34,960
- Tallahassee, FL — $34,850
- Jacksonville, FL — $36,630
- Ocala, FL — $34,890
- Sebastian, FL — $36,060
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Lakeland, FL?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $35,270 a year, or about $16.96 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,490 and $45,560.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Lakeland, FL?
On the median $35,270 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $30,519 a year ($2,543 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,418 would in a typical U.S. city. Lakeland, FL ranks #113 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lakeland, FL is $1,230 a month ($1,497 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lakeland, FL
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $43,220
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,250
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,600
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,610
- Bartender — $33,920
- Dishwasher — $29,190
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,140
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,500
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,050