Waiter and Waitress Salary in Augusta, GA
Waiters and Waitresses in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn a median $18,390 a year — 48% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $16,423 take-home, or $1,369 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Augusta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$229
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,140
- Medicare (1.45%)$267
- Georgia income tax$332
- Take-home pay$16,423
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 5.19% state
The Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro spans Georgia, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Augusta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 | $13,767 | $1,147 |
| 25th percentile | $15,510 | $7.46 | $14,141 | $1,178 |
| Median (50th) | $18,390 | $8.84 | $16,423 | $1,369 |
| 75th percentile | $30,730 | $14.77 | $25,899 | $2,158 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,390 | $22.78 | $38,421 | $3,202 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $18,390 buys in Augusta, GA
Prices in Augusta, GA are 8.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $16,423 take-home pay has the buying power of $17,869 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 Augusta, GA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.13).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Augusta, GA ranks #139 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 |
| 139 | Augusta, GA | $18,390 | $16,423 | $17,869 |
*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 Georgia
- Savannah, GA — $20,830
- Atlanta, GA — $18,460
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Augusta, GA?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area is $18,390 a year, or about $8.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $15,510 and $30,730.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Augusta, GA?
On the median $18,390 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $16,423 a year ($1,369 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $332 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Augusta, GA a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 48% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 8.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $17,869 would in a typical U.S. city. Augusta, GA ranks #139 of 148 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Augusta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Augusta, GA is $1,110 a month ($1,258 for two bedrooms) — 81% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.