Hospitality · Garland, TX

Server (Waiter/Waitress) Salary in Garland, TX (2026)

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

Salary breakdown — Garland

$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 Garland Paycheck Calculator.
Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Garland
Houston, TX0.96×$28,800+$0
Fort Worth, TX0.96×$28,800+$0
Tucson, AZ0.96×$28,800+$0
Glendale, AZ0.96×$28,800+$0
Spokane, WA0.96×$28,800+$0

Server (Waiter/Waitress) salaries in Garland, TX

The estimated median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in Garland, 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. Garland'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 Garland

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)
  • Garland 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 Garland 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 Garland pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Garland 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 Garland 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. Garland 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 Garland?
The estimated median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in Garland, Texas is $28,800 per year, or approximately $14/hour at standard full-time. Garland sits 4.0% below the US national average for this role.
Garland vs Texas state — what's the salary difference?
Garland: $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 Garland have a city income tax?
No, Garland 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 Garland's cost of living relative to the US average. Garland'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 Garland?
Estimate: $22,565/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Texas state tax (~0.0% effective), and Garland local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Garland Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.