Hospitality · Greensboro, NC

Server (Waiter/Waitress) Salary in Greensboro, NC (2026)

Median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in Greensboro is approximately $27,600/year — 8.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Greensboro

$27,600
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$13
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$1,062
Monthly
$2,300
Annual (gross)
$27,600
vs North Carolina state average
State avg: $28,200
-$600
vs US national
National median: $30,000
-$2,400

After-tax estimate

$20,245
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$27,600
Federal tax (~14%)
−$3,864
FICA (7.65%)
−$2,111
North Carolina state tax
~5% effective
−$1,380
Estimated take-home
$20,245
Monthly take-home
$1,687
For exact take-home, use our Greensboro Paycheck Calculator.
Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Greensboro
Columbus, OH0.92×$27,600+$0
Detroit, MI0.92×$27,600+$0
Cincinnati, OH0.92×$27,600+$0
Kansas City, MO0.92×$27,600+$0
Lexington, KY0.92×$27,600+$0

Server (Waiter/Waitress) salaries in Greensboro, NC

The estimated median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in Greensboro, North Carolina is $27,600/year, working out to approximately $13/hour at full-time, $1,062 per biweekly paycheck, or $2,300/month before taxes. Greensboro's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Take-home pay in Greensboro

Of the gross $27,600, you take home roughly $20,245 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • North Carolina state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Greensboro has no local income tax

That works out to about $1,687/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 Greensboro 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 Greensboro pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Greensboro 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 Greensboro employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Server (Waiter/Waitress) Salary in North Carolina — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Greensboro 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 Greensboro?
The estimated median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in Greensboro, North Carolina is $27,600 per year, or approximately $13/hour at standard full-time. Greensboro sits 8.0% below the US national average for this role.
Greensboro vs North Carolina state — what's the salary difference?
Greensboro: $27,600. North Carolina state average for Server (Waiter/Waitress): $28,200. Difference: -$600 (2.1%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Greensboro have a city income tax?
No, Greensboro has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and North Carolina state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Greensboro's cost of living relative to the US average. Greensboro's multiplier is 0.92× 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 Greensboro?
Estimate: $20,245/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), North Carolina state tax (~5.0% effective), and Greensboro local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Greensboro Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.