SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Indianapolis
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Indianapolis, IN is $29,050 per year, 17.5% 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 Indianapolis, IN is $29,050 per year, 17.5% below the national median of $35,230. Half of workers earn between $21,040 and $37,070. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $18,070 and the ninetieth at $49,380.
The area has 15,830 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 14.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, South Bend records the highest median at $28,740. Of the 621 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 608th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18,070 | −48.7% |
| 25th | $21,040 | −40.3% |
| Median (50th) | $29,050 | −17.5% |
| 75th | $37,070 | +5.2% |
| 90th | $49,380 | +40.2% |
| Mean | $32,300 | −8.3% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Bend | $28,740 | 1,970 | |
| 2 | Fort Wayne | $28,650 | 3,150 | |
| 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 Indianapolis run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $29,050 goes as far as $31,136 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,050as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,136US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,050 a year, 17.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $18,070 to $49,380 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 15,830 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is South Bend, at $28,740.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Indianapolis, IN?
The median annual wage is $29,050, or $13.97 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 Indianapolis, IN is 17.5% 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 Indianapolis, IN earns more than $49,380 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $18,070 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 South Bend, at $28,740 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 15,830 jobs in this occupation in Indianapolis, 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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