Waiters and Waitresses pay range in Cincinnati
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,280 a year or less, while the top 10% make $74,040 or more. The middle half of waiters and waitresses in Cincinnati earn between $29,260 and $49,640.
- $23K10th
- $29K25th
- $37KMedian
- $50K75th
- $74K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $44,740 | $3,728 | $21.51 |
| Median | $36,530 | $3,044 | $17.56 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $29,260 | $2,438 | $14.07 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $49,640 | $4,137 | $23.87 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Cincinnati vs. Ohio and the U.S.
Waiters and waitresses in Cincinnati earn 6% more than the Ohio average ($42,190) and 12% more than the U.S. average ($40,060). At the median the gap is +4% against the U.S. median of $35,230.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | $44,740 | $36,530 | $23,280 | $74,040 | 17,790 |
| Ohio | $42,190 | $36,700 | $23,820 | $63,740 | 77,250 |
| United States | $40,060 | $35,230 | $18,100 | $64,720 | 2,270,910 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Waiters and Waitresses salary after taxes in Cincinnati
On the average salary of $44,740, a single filer in Cincinnati takes home about $36,535 a year, or $3,045 a month and $1,405 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
The Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $36,816 | $3,068 |
| Working in KY | $36,680 | $3,057 |
| Working in OH | $36,535 | $3,045 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Cincinnati's local income tax (1.8%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.
Is Cincinnati a good place for waiters and waitresses? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Cincinnati area are 5% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.4), so the average $44,740 buys what about $46,912 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Cincinnati ($50,170). A typical home costs $311,270, or 7.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other Ohio cities
Cincinnati ranks 1st of 12 Ohio metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
Highest-paying cities for waiters and waitresses
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($87,210).
- Kahului, HI$87,210
- Seattle, WA$62,940
- Honolulu, HI$61,880
- Bremerton, WA$61,770
- Burlington, VT$61,070
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Waiters and Waitresses salary in Cincinnati: questions
How much do waiters and waitresses make an hour in Cincinnati?
$21.51 an hour on average, and $17.56 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level waiters and waitresses salary in Cincinnati?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,280 a year and the 25th percentile is $29,260, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the waiters and waitresses take-home pay in Cincinnati?
About $36,535 a year ($3,045 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $44,740. Includes Cincinnati's local income tax (1.8%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.
Do waiters and waitresses earn more in Cincinnati than elsewhere?
The average here is 12% more than the U.S. average for this job ($40,060).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-3031; area Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN (17140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Cincinnati's local income tax (1.8%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.11, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.