Waiter and Waitress Salary in Ocala, FL
Waiters and Waitresses in the Ocala, FL metro area earn a median $34,890 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,214 take-home, or $2,518 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Ocala, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,007
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,163
- Medicare (1.45%)$506
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$30,214
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Ocala, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,040 | $13.00 | $23,877 | $1,990 |
| 25th percentile | $27,730 | $13.33 | $24,446 | $2,037 |
| Median (50th) | $34,890 | $16.77 | $30,214 | $2,518 |
| 75th percentile | $45,980 | $22.11 | $39,125 | $3,260 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,360 | $29.02 | $50,679 | $4,223 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,890 buys in Ocala, FL
Prices in Ocala, FL are 4.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 14% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $30,214 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,726 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Ocala, FL has 1.2× 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
Ocala, FL ranks #105 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 |
| 105 | Ocala, FL | $34,890 | $30,214 | $31,726 |
*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
- Sebastian, FL — $36,060
- Tampa, FL — $37,070
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Ocala, FL?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Ocala, FL metro area is $34,890 a year, or about $16.77 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,730 and $45,980.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Ocala, FL?
On the median $34,890 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $30,214 a year ($2,518 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Ocala, FL a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 4.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,726 would in a typical U.S. city. Ocala, FL ranks #105 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Ocala, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Ocala, FL is $1,172 a month ($1,373 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Ocala, FL
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $42,680
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,500
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,560
- Bartender — $29,620
- Dishwasher — $28,850
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,880