Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Waiters and Waitresses actually take home in Texas?
No state income tax — 11.4% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Waiters and Waitresses earning $23,240 in Texas (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $23,240 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$864 | 3.7% |
| Texas State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$1,440 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$336 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$2,641 | 11.4% |
| Take-Home Pay | $20,598 | 88.6% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Waiters and Waitresses in Texas.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $17,070 | -$1,552 | $15,517 | 9.1% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $17,950 | -$1,708 | $16,241 | 9.5% |
| Median (P50) | $23,240 | -$2,641 | $20,598 | 11.4% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $37,230 | -$5,331 | $31,898 | 14.3% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $47,590 | -$7,367 | $40,222 | 15.5% |
Texas has no state income tax, which means a Waiters and Waitresses keeps $20,598 of their $23,240 salary — 88.6% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Texas one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
A Waiters and Waitresses in Texas faces an effective total tax rate of only 11.4%, keeping 88.6% of every gross dollar. That leaves $20,598 net out of $23,240 gross — a favorable outcome compared to states with combined rates above 30%.
Texas is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Waiters and Waitresses, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal tax on this Waiters and Waitresses salary is $864 (33%), but combined state ($0, 0%) + FICA ($1,778, 67%) make up the other 67% of the bill.
Texas sits near the bottom (#44 of 51) for Waiters and Waitresses after-tax earnings. Relocation, negotiation, or credential stacking typically show the clearest ROI in bottom-quartile states.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $20,598 net/year works out to $1,717/month or $792/bi-weekly for this Waiters and Waitresses in Texas — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Waiters and Waitresses keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Texas ranks #44 out of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses after-tax take-home pay.
A Waiters and Waitresses in Texas earning a median salary of $23,240 will take home approximately $20,598 per year after federal income tax ($864), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($1,777). That is $1,716 per month or $792 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Waiters and Waitresses in Texas is 11.4%, broken down as: federal income tax 3.7%, Texas state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.6%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Texas does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Waiters and Waitresses in Texas only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 11.4%.
After all taxes, a Waiters and Waitresses in Texas takes home approximately $1,716 per month, or about $9.90 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $23,240 for Waiters and Waitresses in Texas, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Texas state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $20,598/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR