Waiter and Waitress Salary in Macon, GA
Waiters and Waitresses in the Macon-Bibb County, GA metro area earn a median $17,830 a year — 49% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $15,990 take-home, or $1,333 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Macon, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$173
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,105
- Medicare (1.45%)$259
- Georgia income tax$303
- Take-home pay$15,990
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 5.19% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Macon, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 | $13,767 | $1,147 |
| 25th percentile | $15,080 | $7.25 | $13,767 | $1,147 |
| Median (50th) | $17,830 | $8.57 | $15,990 | $1,333 |
| 75th percentile | $30,740 | $14.78 | $25,907 | $2,159 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,990 | $21.63 | $36,617 | $3,051 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $17,830 buys in Macon, GA
Prices in Macon, GA are 11.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 41% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $15,990 take-home pay has the buying power of $18,063 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 Macon, GA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.19).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Macon, GA ranks #355 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 |
| 355 | Macon, GA | $17,830 | $15,990 | $18,063 |
*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 Georgia
- Columbus, GA — $20,800
- Rome, GA — $20,980
- Athens, GA — $21,090
- Savannah, GA — $20,830
- Valdosta, GA — $18,510
- Albany, GA — $18,330
- Brunswick, GA — $18,250
- Warner Robins, GA — $19,070
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Macon, GA?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Macon-Bibb County, GA metro area is $17,830 a year, or about $8.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $15,080 and $30,740.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Macon, GA?
On the median $17,830 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $15,990 a year ($1,333 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $303 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Macon, GA a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 49% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 11.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $18,063 would in a typical U.S. city. Macon, GA ranks #355 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Macon, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Macon, GA is $1,145 a month ($1,291 for two bedrooms) — 86% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Macon, GA
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $36,340
- Cooks, Restaurant — $31,650
- Food Preparation Worker — $31,550
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $25,000