Waiter and Waitress salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A waiter and waitress in California earns a median of $36,080 a year ($17.35/hour equivalent), 2.4% above the national median of $35,230. California ranks #22 of 51 states. About 229,970 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $30,275 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,164 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,387.69
- Federal income tax
- −$82.68
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$86.04
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$20.12
- California income tax
- −$16.38
- CA SDI
- −$18.04
- Take-home pay
- $1,164.44
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $36,080
- Federal
- $2,150
- FICA
- $2,760
- State + local
- $895
- Net
- $30,275
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hawaii | $62,390 |
| #2 | Vermont | $59,140 |
| #3 | Washington | $56,130 |
| #4 | Oregon | $48,410 |
| #5 | District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| #22 | California | $36,080 |
| #49 | South Carolina | $18,370 |
| #50 | Oklahoma | $17,910 |
| #51 | Louisiana | $15,080 |
See the national waiter and waitress salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Waiters and Waitresses (SOC 35-3031), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in California?
The median salary is $36,080 a year and the average is $44,600 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for waiters and waitresses?
California ranks #22 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 2% above the national median of $35,230.
What is $36,080 after taxes in California?
About $30,275 a year ($1,164 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.