Waiter and Waitress Salary in Utica, NY
Waiters and Waitresses in the Utica-Rome, NY metro area earn a median $45,950 a year — 30% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,217 take-home, or $3,101 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Utica, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,334
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,849
- Medicare (1.45%)$666
- New York income tax$1,884
- Take-home pay$37,217
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Utica, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 | $26,941 | $2,245 |
| 25th percentile | $33,430 | $16.07 | $27,833 | $2,319 |
| Median (50th) | $45,950 | $22.09 | $37,217 | $3,101 |
| 75th percentile | $60,070 | $28.88 | $47,799 | $3,983 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,220 | $36.64 | $58,932 | $4,911 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,950 buys in Utica, NY
Prices in Utica, NY are 7.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 34% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $37,217 take-home pay has the buying power of $40,157 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 Utica, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.04).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Utica, NY ranks #16 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 |
| 16 | Utica, NY | $45,950 | $37,217 | $40,157 |
*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
- Albany, NY — $48,980
- Elmira, NY — $46,160
- Buffalo, NY — $46,580
- Rochester, NY — $45,310
- Glens Falls, NY — $43,900
- Kingston, NY — $46,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Utica, NY?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Utica-Rome, NY metro area is $45,950 a year, or about $22.09 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,430 and $60,070.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Utica, NY?
On the median $45,950 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $37,217 a year ($3,101 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,884 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Utica, NY a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 30% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 7.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $40,157 would in a typical U.S. city. Utica, NY ranks #16 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Utica, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Utica, NY is $926 a month ($1,172 for two bedrooms) — 30% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Utica, NY
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $43,960
- Bartender — $38,860
- Cooks, Restaurant — $38,150
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $34,730
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $34,430
- Food Preparation Worker — $33,250
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $33,080