SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Columbus
Columbus, IN · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Columbus, IN is $26,340 per year, substantially below the national median of $35,230 — a gap of 25.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Columbus, IN is $26,340 per year, substantially below the national median of $35,230 — a gap of 25.2%. Half of workers earn between $18,510 and $36,210. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $16,790 and the ninetieth at $47,380.
Employment stands at 490, or 9.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Indianapolis records the highest median at $29,050. Of the 187 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 185th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,790 | −52.3% |
| 25th | $18,510 | −47.5% |
| Median (50th) | $26,340 | −25.2% |
| 75th | $36,210 | +2.8% |
| 90th | $47,380 | +34.5% |
| Mean | $30,060 | −14.7% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $29,050 | 15,830 | |
| 2 | South Bend | $28,740 | 1,970 | |
| 3 | Fort Wayne | $28,650 | 3,150 | |
| 4 | Evansville | $28,550 | 2,070 | |
| 5 | Bloomington | $28,540 | 1,620 | |
| 6 | Kokomo | $28,420 | 690 | |
| 7 | Lafayette | $28,420 | 1,490 | |
| 8 | Michigan City | $28,260 | 680 | |
| 9 | Elkhart | $28,060 | 1,070 | |
| 10 | Terre Haute | $26,520 | 1,050 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbus run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $26,340 goes as far as $28,232 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,340as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,232US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,340 a year, 25.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $16,790 to $47,380 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 490 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Indianapolis, at $29,050.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Columbus, IN?
The median annual wage is $26,340, or $12.66 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 Columbus, IN is 25.2% lower. 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 Columbus, IN earns more than $47,380 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $16,790 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 Indianapolis, at $29,050 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 490 jobs in this occupation in Columbus, IN. 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.
Explore related data