SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Lafayette
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Lafayette, IN is $28,420 a year, trailing the national median of $35,230 by 19.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Lafayette, IN is $28,420 a year, trailing the national median of $35,230 by 19.3%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $21,190 and $35,900. The lowest tenth earn under $17,450, while the highest tenth earn more than $47,250.
The area has 1,490 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 14.6 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Indianapolis records the highest median at $29,050. Of the 308 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 304th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,450 | −50.5% |
| 25th | $21,190 | −39.9% |
| Median (50th) | $28,420 | −19.3% |
| 75th | $35,900 | +1.9% |
| 90th | $47,250 | +34.1% |
| Mean | $31,040 | −11.9% |
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 | 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 Lafayette run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $28,420 goes as far as $30,461 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,420as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,461US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,420 a year, 19.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $17,450 to $47,250 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,490 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 Lafayette, IN?
The median annual wage is $28,420, or $13.67 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 Lafayette, IN is 19.3% 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 Lafayette, IN earns more than $47,250 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $17,450 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 1,490 jobs in this occupation in Lafayette, 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