SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda, FL · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $36,360 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $36,360 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $35,230. Half of workers earn between $28,600 and $47,030. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $27,180 and the ninetieth at $64,050.
The area has 1,780 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 30.9 of every thousand jobs. Naples leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $37,550. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 178th of 206 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,180 | −22.8% |
| 25th | $28,600 | −18.8% |
| Median (50th) | $36,360 | +3.2% |
| 75th | $47,030 | +33.5% |
| 90th | $64,050 | +81.8% |
| Mean | $42,270 | +20.0% |
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 | Cape Coral | $36,660 | 7,980 | |
| 6 | North Port | $36,660 | 9,200 | |
| 7 | Jacksonville | $36,630 | 13,140 | |
| 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 Punta Gorda run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $36,360 buys what $35,164 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 0.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,360as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,164US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,360 a year, 3.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,180 to $64,050 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,780 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 Punta Gorda, FL?
The median annual wage is $36,360, or $17.48 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 Punta Gorda, FL is 3.2% 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 Punta Gorda, FL earns more than $64,050 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,180 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 1,780 jobs in this occupation in Punta Gorda, 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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