Hospitality · Fort Worth, TX

Server (Waiter/Waitress) Salary in Fort Worth, TX (2026)

Median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in Fort Worth is approximately $28,800/year — 4.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Fort Worth

$28,800
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$14
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$1,108
Monthly
$2,400
Annual (gross)
$28,800
vs Texas state average
State avg: $29,100
-$300
vs US national
National median: $30,000
-$1,200

After-tax estimate

$22,565
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$28,800
Federal tax (~14%)
−$4,032
FICA (7.65%)
−$2,203
Texas state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$22,565
Monthly take-home
$1,880
For exact take-home, use our Fort Worth Paycheck Calculator.
Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Fort Worth
Houston, TX0.96×$28,800+$0
Tucson, AZ0.96×$28,800+$0
Glendale, AZ0.96×$28,800+$0
Garland, TX0.96×$28,800+$0
Spokane, WA0.96×$28,800+$0

Server (Waiter/Waitress) salaries in Fort Worth, TX

The estimated median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in Fort Worth, Texas is $28,800/year, working out to approximately $14/hour at full-time, $1,108 per biweekly paycheck, or $2,400/month before taxes. Fort Worth's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.96× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Take-home pay in Fort Worth

Of the gross $28,800, you take home roughly $22,565 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Texas state income tax (none)
  • Fort Worth has no local income tax

That works out to about $1,880/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Fort Worth Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Fort Worth pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Fort Worth typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Fort Worth employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Server (Waiter/Waitress) Salary in Texas — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Fort Worth Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in Fort Worth?
The estimated median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in Fort Worth, Texas is $28,800 per year, or approximately $14/hour at standard full-time. Fort Worth sits 4.0% below the US national average for this role.
Fort Worth vs Texas state — what's the salary difference?
Fort Worth: $28,800. Texas state average for Server (Waiter/Waitress): $29,100. Difference: -$300 (1.0%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Fort Worth have a city income tax?
No, Fort Worth has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Texas state tax apply (Texas has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Fort Worth's cost of living relative to the US average. Fort Worth's multiplier is 0.96× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Server (Waiter/Waitress) in Fort Worth?
Estimate: $22,565/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Texas state tax (~0.0% effective), and Fort Worth local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Fort Worth Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.