Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Columbus, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbus, IN

Median annual salary $24,190 -28.3% vs national
Median hourly $11.63
10th percentile $16,870
90th percentile $45,800
Employed locally 520
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Columbus, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $16,870
    25th
    $18,000
    50th (median)
    $24,190
    75th
    $36,900
    90th
    $45,800

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,365 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 30% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 70% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Binghamton, NY $47,650
    Washington $47,490
    Kingston, NY $46,860
    Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $46,320
    Bellingham, WA $46,100

    Related occupations in Columbus, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,440
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,610
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,100
    Food Preparation Workers $28,940
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $25,180
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,730

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Columbus?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Columbus, IN is $11.63, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.78 or more per hour.

    Is Columbus above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Columbus, IN is 28.3% below the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Columbus?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $16,870 per year in Columbus, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $18,000.