Waiter and Waitress Salary in Tampa, FL
Waiters and Waitresses in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median $37,070 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,966 take-home, or $2,664 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Tampa, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,268
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,298
- Medicare (1.45%)$538
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,966
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Tampa, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,310 | $13.13 | $24,100 | $2,008 |
| 25th percentile | $28,860 | $13.88 | $25,369 | $2,114 |
| Median (50th) | $37,070 | $17.82 | $31,966 | $2,664 |
| 75th percentile | $49,430 | $23.76 | $41,897 | $3,491 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,180 | $34.70 | $59,609 | $4,967 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,070 buys in Tampa, FL
Prices in Tampa, FL are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.26× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $31,966 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,684 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Tampa, 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
Tampa, FL ranks #42 of 148 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 | Seattle, WA | $57,280 | $48,204 | $43,375 |
| 3 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $60,250 | $47,542 | $42,846 |
| 4 | Spokane, WA | $48,560 | $41,198 | $41,056 |
| 5 | Syracuse, NY | $47,640 | $38,483 | $40,195 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $54,780 | $42,232 | $40,060 |
| 7 | Albany, NY | $48,980 | $39,488 | $39,660 |
| 8 | Buffalo, NY | $46,580 | $37,689 | $39,323 |
| 42 | Tampa, FL | $37,070 | $31,966 | $31,684 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 148 metros →
About the job: waiters and waitresses
Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.0% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Waiter and Waitress salaries elsewhere in Florida
- Crestview, FL — $37,370
- Tallahassee, FL — $34,850
- Jacksonville, FL — $36,630
- Gainesville, FL — $35,400
- Palm Bay, FL — $36,670
- Lakeland, FL — $35,270
- Naples, FL — $37,550
- Pensacola, FL — $35,340
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Tampa, FL?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $37,070 a year, or about $17.82 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,860 and $49,430.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Tampa, FL?
On the median $37,070 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $31,966 a year ($2,664 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,684 would in a typical U.S. city. Tampa, FL ranks #42 of 148 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Tampa, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tampa, FL is $1,696 a month ($1,977 for two bedrooms) — 64% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tampa, FL
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,240
- Bartender — $37,460
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,010
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,330
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $35,040
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $34,480
- Dishwasher — $31,670
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $31,150
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,880
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,260