Official data: IRS · SSA · state revenue codes Tax year 2026 · Updated 2026-07-26
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How Much Do Waiters and Waitresses Make in Kentucky?

Median wage from BLS May 2025 — and the after-tax number the salary sites skip. Tax year 2026.

Quick answer

According to payandtaxes.com's analysis of BLS May 2025 data and 2026 tax law, the median Waiters and Waitresses in Kentucky earns $29,660 per year and takes home $25,091 ($2,091/month) — a keep-rate of 84.6%, with 27,150 employed in the state.

The paycheck, itemizedmedian Waiters and Waitresses · single filer

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Pay statement · monthly
Kentucky
$29,660 / yr
Gross pay$2,471.67
Federal income tax$114.93
Social Security$153.24
Medicare$35.84
Kentucky state income tax$76.71
You keep$2,090.94
84.6% of gross keptIRS 2026 tables
Questions
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make in Kentucky?

The median Waiters and Waitresses in Kentucky earns $29,660 per year (BLS May 2025), about $14.26 per hour.

What is that after taxes?

$29,660 gross in Kentucky keeps $25,091 after federal income tax ($1,379), FICA ($2,269) and state income tax ($921) — $2,091 per month, a 84.6% keep-rate.

How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Waiters and Waitresses?

The Kentucky median is $5,570 below the national median of $35,230.

Which state pays Waiters and Waitresses the most?

Hawaii has the highest median gross for Waiters and Waitresses at $62,390 — but compare take-home, not gross: state taxes change the order.

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Waiters and Waitresses salary in every state · Kentucky paycheck calculator · Kentucky minimum wage