Waiter and Waitress Salary in Napa, CA
Waiters and Waitresses in the Napa, CA metro area earn a median $37,130 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,057 take-home, or $2,588 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Napa, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,276
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,302
- Medicare (1.45%)$538
- California income tax$475
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$483
- Take-home pay$31,057
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Napa, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,700 | $16.68 | $29,233 | $2,436 |
| 25th percentile | $36,010 | $17.31 | $30,216 | $2,518 |
| Median (50th) | $37,130 | $17.85 | $31,057 | $2,588 |
| 75th percentile | $39,560 | $19.02 | $32,880 | $2,740 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,710 | $31.11 | $51,369 | $4,281 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,130 buys in Napa, CA
Prices in Napa, CA are 12.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.97× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $31,057 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,593 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Napa, CA has 1.7× the national concentration of waiter and waitress jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Napa, CA ranks #209 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 |
| 209 | Napa, CA | $37,130 | $31,057 | $27,593 |
*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 California
- San Jose, CA — $41,920
- El Centro, CA — $34,320
- Merced, CA — $34,320
- Visalia, CA — $34,320
- Redding, CA — $34,320
- Bakersfield, CA — $34,320
- Chico, CA — $34,320
- Santa Rosa, CA — $36,830
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Napa, CA?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Napa, CA metro area is $37,130 a year, or about $17.85 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,010 and $39,560.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Napa, CA?
On the median $37,130 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $31,057 a year ($2,588 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $957 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Napa, CA a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 12.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,593 would in a typical U.S. city. Napa, CA ranks #209 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Napa, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Napa, CA is $2,113 a month ($2,773 for two bedrooms) — 82% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Napa, CA
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $51,320
- Cooks, Restaurant — $47,320
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $45,410
- Food Preparation Worker — $42,810
- Dishwasher — $39,930
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $38,200
- Bartender — $37,790
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $37,470