SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Northern Indiana
Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
At $24,360, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 30.9% beneath the national figure of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $24,360, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 30.9% beneath the national figure of $35,230. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $18,450 and $33,810. The lowest tenth earn under $16,640, while the highest tenth earn more than $46,180.
Employment stands at 2,370, or 11.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Indianapolis leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $29,050. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 404th of 409 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,640 | −52.8% |
| 25th | $18,450 | −47.6% |
| Median (50th) | $24,360 | −30.9% |
| 75th | $33,810 | −4.0% |
| 90th | $46,180 | +31.1% |
| Mean | $28,540 | −19.0% |
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 Northern Indiana run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $24,360 goes as far as $26,109 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 25.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$24,360as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$26,109US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $24,360 a year, 30.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $16,640 to $46,180 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,370 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 Northern Indiana, IN?
The median annual wage is $24,360, or $11.71 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 Northern Indiana, IN is 30.9% 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 Northern Indiana, IN earns more than $46,180 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $16,640 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 2,370 jobs in this occupation in Northern Indiana, 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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