SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Fort Wayne, IN is $28,650 per year, 18.7% below the national median of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Fort Wayne, IN is $28,650 per year, 18.7% below the national median of $35,230. Half of workers earn between $20,870 and $36,560. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $17,430 and the ninetieth at $47,840.
The area has 3,150 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 14.0 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Indianapolis records the highest median at $29,050. Of the 442 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 437th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,430 | −50.5% |
| 25th | $20,870 | −40.8% |
| Median (50th) | $28,650 | −18.7% |
| 75th | $36,560 | +3.8% |
| 90th | $47,840 | +35.8% |
| Mean | $30,730 | −12.8% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $29,050 | 15,830 | |
| 2 | South Bend | $28,740 | 1,970 | |
| 3 | Evansville | $28,550 | 2,070 | |
| 4 | Bloomington | $28,540 | 1,620 | |
| 5 | Kokomo | $28,420 | 690 | |
| 6 | Lafayette | $28,420 | 1,490 | |
| 7 | Michigan City | $28,260 | 680 | |
| 8 | Elkhart | $28,060 | 1,070 | |
| 9 | Terre Haute | $26,520 | 1,050 | |
| 10 | Columbus | $26,340 | 490 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Fort Wayne run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $28,650 goes as far as $30,707 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,707US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,650 a year, 18.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $17,430 to $47,840 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,150 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 Fort Wayne, IN?
The median annual wage is $28,650, or $13.78 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 Fort Wayne, IN is 18.7% 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 Fort Wayne, IN earns more than $47,840 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $17,430 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 3,150 jobs in this occupation in Fort Wayne, 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.
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