Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

In the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $29,200 ($14.04/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $18,100/year and the 90th was $49,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,810 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,200$14.04 per hour · $2,433 monthly
10th Percentile$18,100$8.70/hr base
25th Percentile$21,400$10.29/hr base
75th Percentile$37,500$18.03/hr base
90th Percentile$49,600$23.85/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$29,200
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,200
Net 85%
Fed 5%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,810After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,068Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$954Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,324 / yr
Indiana state income tax$832 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,234 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Waiters and Waitresses in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$8.70/hr$1,508$18,100$16,011
25th Percentile$10.29/hr$1,783$21,400$18,631
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.04/hr$2,433$29,200$24,810
75th Percentile$18.03/hr$3,125$37,500$31,235
90th Percentile$23.85/hr$4,133$49,600$40,600

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$79,852Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.74.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio36.6%of area median income

Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Indiana:

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN is $29,200, which equates to approximately $2,433 per month or $14.04 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN is $14.04 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.70/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.85/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN span from $18,100 at the 10th percentile to $21,400 at the 25th, $37,500 at the 75th, and $49,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

On a median gross salary of $29,200, an estimated $24,810 lands in net take-home pay per year ($954 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,390 (an effective rate of 15%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

On the median annual salary of $29,200, gross monthly income is $2,433. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,068 per month (or $954 every two weeks).

Is $29,200 a good salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

At $29,200, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 36.6% of the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN median household income ($79,852). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.7, making regional consumer goods and services 4.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.