SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Cape Coral
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Cape Coral, FL is $36,660 per year, close to the national median of $35,230 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Cape Coral, FL is $36,660 per year, close to the national median of $35,230 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $29,470 and $47,770. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $28,320 and the ninetieth at $64,210.
Employment stands at 7,980, or 26.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Naples records the highest median at $37,550. Of the 431 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 376th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,320 | −19.6% |
| 25th | $29,470 | −16.3% |
| Median (50th) | $36,660 | +4.1% |
| 75th | $47,770 | +35.6% |
| 90th | $64,210 | +82.3% |
| Mean | $42,470 | +20.6% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naples | $37,550 | 6,610 | |
| 2 | Crestview | $37,370 | 4,430 | |
| 3 | Tampa | $37,070 | 25,280 | |
| 4 | Palm Bay | $36,670 | 5,080 | |
| 5 | North Port | $36,660 | 9,200 | |
| 6 | Jacksonville | $36,630 | 13,140 | |
| 7 | Punta Gorda | $36,360 | 1,780 | |
| 8 | Wildwood | $36,340 | 1,170 | |
| 9 | Port St. Lucie | $36,250 | 4,050 | |
| 10 | Miami | $36,070 | 57,830 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Cape Coral run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $36,660 buys what $35,455 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 0.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,455US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,660 a year, 4.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,320 to $64,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 7,980 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Naples, at $37,550.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Cape Coral, FL?
The median annual wage is $36,660, or $17.63 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,230, so pay in Cape Coral, FL is 4.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Cape Coral, FL earns more than $64,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,320 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Naples, at $37,550 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 7,980 jobs in this occupation in Cape Coral, FL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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