How Much Does a Waiter and Waitress (Server) Make in California (CA) in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in California (CA)
$39,770/yr ($19.12/hr · $31,907 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$31,010 ($14.91/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$53,680 ($25.81/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$1,227.21
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$28.68/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $14.91/hr | $31,010 | −$5,615.57 | $25,394.43 | $976.71 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $19.12/hr | $39,770 | −$7,862.51 | $31,907.49 | $1,227.21 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $25.81/hr | $53,680 | −$11,430.42 | $42,249.58 | $1,624.98 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($15.88/hr)California ($19.12/hr)Florida ($15.39/hr)New York ($18.79/hr)Illinois ($16.69/hr)Arizona ($15.71/hr)New Jersey ($18.14/hr)Georgia ($15.55/hr)North Carolina ($15.39/hr)Washington ($18.63/hr)Pennsylvania ($16.04/hr)Ohio ($15.23/hr)Nevada ($15.88/hr)Colorado ($17.17/hr)Virginia ($17.01/hr)Massachusetts ($18.95/hr)Michigan ($15.55/hr)Tennessee ($14.90/hr)Indiana ($15.07/hr)Maryland ($17.50/hr)Minnesota ($16.85/hr)Missouri ($14.90/hr)Wisconsin ($15.71/hr)Oregon ($17.01/hr)Connecticut ($17.98/hr)Utah ($15.71/hr)South Carolina ($14.74/hr)Alabama ($14.26/hr)Louisiana ($14.42/hr)Kentucky ($14.42/hr)Oklahoma ($14.42/hr)Kansas ($14.90/hr)Iowa ($15.07/hr)New Mexico ($14.90/hr)Arkansas ($14.09/hr)Mississippi ($13.77/hr)Nebraska ($15.23/hr)Idaho ($15.07/hr)Hawaii ($17.50/hr)New Hampshire ($16.69/hr)Maine ($15.39/hr)Rhode Island ($16.52/hr)Montana ($14.90/hr)Delaware ($16.36/hr)South Dakota ($14.74/hr)North Dakota ($15.39/hr)Alaska ($17.66/hr)Vermont ($15.88/hr)West Virginia ($13.93/hr)Wyoming ($15.39/hr)