Waiter and Waitress Salary in Washington, DC
Waiters and Waitresses in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $46,040 a year — 31% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,577 take-home, or $3,131 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,345
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,854
- Medicare (1.45%)$668
- District of Columbia income tax$1,596
- Take-home pay$37,577
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,880 | $15.33 | $27,049 | $2,254 |
| 25th percentile | $36,400 | $17.50 | $30,409 | $2,534 |
| Median (50th) | $46,040 | $22.13 | $37,577 | $3,131 |
| 75th percentile | $60,180 | $28.93 | $48,069 | $4,006 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,060 | $38.97 | $61,934 | $5,161 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,040 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $37,577 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,511 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.01).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #57 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 |
| 57 | Washington, DC | $46,040 | $37,577 | $34,511 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 375 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Washington, DC?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $46,040 a year, or about $22.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,400 and $60,180.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $46,040 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $37,577 a year ($3,131 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,596 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 31% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,511 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #57 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 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 Washington, DC
- Chef and Head Cook — $74,900
- Bartender — $48,030
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $47,580
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $44,880
- Cooks, Restaurant — $42,920
- Cooks, Short Order — $39,650
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other — $38,590
- Food Preparation Worker — $37,630
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $37,540
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $37,260
- Dishwasher — $37,010
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $36,360