Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Indianapolis, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

Median annual salary $28,180 -16.5% vs national
Median hourly $13.55
10th percentile $17,790
90th percentile $48,800
Employed locally 15,910
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Indianapolis, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $17,790
    25th
    $19,900
    50th (median)
    $28,180
    75th
    $38,410
    90th
    $48,800

    Indianapolis economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,065 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 37% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 63% 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 Indianapolis, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,760
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $43,180
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,040
    Food Preparation Workers $31,180
    Bartenders $23,610
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,320

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Indianapolis, IN is $13.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.74 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Indianapolis, IN is 16.5% 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 Indianapolis?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $17,790 per year in Indianapolis, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $19,900.