Waiter and Waitress Salary in Richmond, VA
Waiters and Waitresses in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median $38,470 a year — 9% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,693 take-home, or $2,641 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Richmond, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,436
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,385
- Medicare (1.45%)$558
- Virginia income tax$1,398
- Take-home pay$31,693
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Richmond, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,560 | $13.25 | $23,535 | $1,961 |
| 25th percentile | $30,390 | $14.61 | $25,665 | $2,139 |
| Median (50th) | $38,470 | $18.50 | $31,693 | $2,641 |
| 75th percentile | $50,030 | $24.05 | $40,316 | $3,360 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,000 | $35.58 | $57,448 | $4,787 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,470 buys in Richmond, VA
Prices in Richmond, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $31,693 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,386 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 Richmond, VA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.95).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Richmond, VA ranks #96 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 |
| 96 | Richmond, VA | $38,470 | $31,693 | $32,386 |
*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 Virginia
- Harrisonburg, VA — $44,760
- Charlottesville, VA — $44,030
- Staunton, VA — $37,910
- Lynchburg, VA — $36,780
- Blacksburg, VA — $37,670
- Roanoke, VA — $37,380
- Virginia Beach, VA — $39,020
- Winchester, VA — $37,680
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Richmond, VA?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Richmond, VA metro area is $38,470 a year, or about $18.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,390 and $50,030.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Richmond, VA?
On the median $38,470 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $31,693 a year ($2,641 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,398 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Richmond, VA a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 9% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,386 would in a typical U.S. city. Richmond, VA ranks #96 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Richmond, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Richmond, VA is $1,505 a month ($1,653 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
- Chef and Head Cook — $59,730
- Bartender — $46,070
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,580
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,140
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,080
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $34,960
- Food Preparation Worker — $33,650
- Dishwasher — $31,370
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,980
- Cooks, Fast Food — $29,570
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,500
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,480