Hospitality · San Antonio, TX

Server (Waiter/Waitress) Salary in San Antonio, TX (2026)

Median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in San Antonio is approximately $27,900/year — 7.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — San Antonio

$27,900
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$13
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$1,073
Monthly
$2,325
Annual (gross)
$27,900
vs Texas state average
State avg: $29,100
-$1,200
vs US national
National median: $30,000
-$2,100

After-tax estimate

$21,860
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$27,900
Federal tax (~14%)
−$3,906
FICA (7.65%)
−$2,134
Texas state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$21,860
Monthly take-home
$1,822
For exact take-home, use our San Antonio Paycheck Calculator.
Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs San Antonio
Grand Rapids, MI0.93×$27,900+$0
Milwaukee, WI0.94×$28,200+$300
Albuquerque, NM0.94×$28,200+$300
New Orleans, LA0.94×$28,200+$300
Columbus, OH0.92×$27,600-$300

Server (Waiter/Waitress) salaries in San Antonio, TX

The estimated median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in San Antonio, Texas is $27,900/year, working out to approximately $13/hour at full-time, $1,073 per biweekly paycheck, or $2,325/month before taxes. San Antonio's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.93× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Texas state average for this role ($29,100), San Antonio pays about $1,200 less. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in San Antonio

Of the gross $27,900, you take home roughly $21,860 after:

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

That works out to about $1,822/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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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. San Antonio 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 San Antonio?
The estimated median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in San Antonio, Texas is $27,900 per year, or approximately $13/hour at standard full-time. San Antonio sits 7.0% below the US national average for this role.
San Antonio vs Texas state — what's the salary difference?
San Antonio: $27,900. Texas state average for Server (Waiter/Waitress): $29,100. Difference: -$1,200 (4.1%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does San Antonio have a city income tax?
No, San Antonio 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 San Antonio's cost of living relative to the US average. San Antonio's multiplier is 0.93× 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 San Antonio?
Estimate: $21,860/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Texas state tax (~0.0% effective), and San Antonio local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the San Antonio Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.