Waiter and Waitress Salary in Rochester, NY
Waiters and Waitresses in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $45,310 a year — 29% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,737 take-home, or $3,061 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,257
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,809
- Medicare (1.45%)$657
- New York income tax$1,850
- Take-home pay$36,737
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 | $26,941 | $2,245 |
| 25th percentile | $33,470 | $16.09 | $27,863 | $2,322 |
| Median (50th) | $45,310 | $21.78 | $36,737 | $3,061 |
| 75th percentile | $61,150 | $29.40 | $48,609 | $4,051 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,400 | $38.65 | $61,647 | $5,137 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,310 buys in Rochester, NY
Prices in Rochester, NY are 3.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $36,737 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,859 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 Rochester, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #31 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 |
| 31 | Rochester, NY | $45,310 | $36,737 | $37,859 |
*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 New York
- Binghamton, NY — $46,600
- Syracuse, NY — $47,640
- Utica, NY — $45,950
- Albany, NY — $48,980
- Elmira, NY — $46,160
- Buffalo, NY — $46,580
- Glens Falls, NY — $43,900
- Kingston, NY — $46,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Rochester, NY?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $45,310 a year, or about $21.78 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,470 and $61,150.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $45,310 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $36,737 a year ($3,061 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,850 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 29% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,859 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #31 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Rochester, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, NY is $1,256 a month ($1,573 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
- Chef and Head Cook — $66,080
- Bartender — $45,920
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $43,040
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $38,670
- Cooks, Restaurant — $38,380
- Cooks, Short Order — $36,580
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $35,780
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $35,310
- Food Preparation Worker — $35,020
- Dishwasher — $33,880
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $33,750
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $33,430