Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Lafayette, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN

Median annual salary $27,370 -18.9% vs national
Median hourly $13.16
10th percentile $17,220
90th percentile $46,210
Employed locally 1,320
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Lafayette, IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Waiters and Waitresses
in
Lafayette, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $17,220
    25th
    $19,860
    50th (median)
    $27,370
    75th
    $37,290
    90th
    $46,210

    Lafayette economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $59,895 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 46% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 54% 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 Lafayette, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,400
    Cooks, Restaurant $31,320
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,890
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $30,800
    Bartenders $22,540
    Food Preparation Workers $28,230

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Lafayette, IN is $13.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.72 or more per hour.

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

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Lafayette, IN is 18.9% 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 Lafayette?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $17,220 per year in Lafayette, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $19,860.