Waiters and Waitresses Salary in South Bend, IN-MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI

Median annual salary $28,510 -15.6% vs national
Median hourly $13.71
10th percentile $17,410
90th percentile $47,310
Employed locally 1,920
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how South Bend, IN-MI stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Waiters and Waitresses
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South Bend, IN-MI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $17,410
    25th
    $20,020
    50th (median)
    $28,510
    75th
    $37,850
    90th
    $47,310

    South Bend economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,385 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 44% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 56% 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 South Bend, IN-MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,790
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,160
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,460
    Bartenders $22,920
    Food Preparation Workers $30,340
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,620

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in South Bend?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in South Bend, IN-MI is $13.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.65 or more per hour.

    Is South Bend above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in South Bend, IN-MI is 15.6% 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 South Bend?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $17,410 per year in South Bend, IN-MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,020.