Michigan City-La Porte, IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Michigan City-La Porte, IN

In the Michigan City-La Porte, IN metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $28,000 ($13.46/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $17,300/year and the 90th was $47,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $23,872 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$28,000$13.46 per hour · $2,333 monthly
10th Percentile$17,300$8.32/hr base
25th Percentile$20,500$9.86/hr base
75th Percentile$35,900$17.26/hr base
90th Percentile$47,500$22.84/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

$28,000
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$28,000
Net 85%
Fed 4%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$23,872After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,989Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$918Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,190 / yr
Indiana state income tax$797 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,142 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Michigan City-La Porte, 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 Michigan City-La Porte, IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$8.32/hr$1,442$17,300$15,376
25th Percentile$9.86/hr$1,708$20,500$17,917
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.46/hr$2,333$28,000$23,872
75th Percentile$17.26/hr$2,992$35,900$29,996
90th Percentile$22.84/hr$3,958$47,500$38,975

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Michigan City-La Porte, IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$28,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$71,055Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.78.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.4%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 Michigan City-La Porte, IN

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Michigan City-La Porte, IN is $28,000, which equates to approximately $2,333 per month or $13.46 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Michigan City-La Porte, IN is $13.46 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.32/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.84/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Michigan City-La Porte, IN span from $17,300 at the 10th percentile to $20,500 at the 25th, $35,900 at the 75th, and $47,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

On a median gross salary of $28,000, an estimated $23,872 lands in net take-home pay per year ($918 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,129 (an effective rate of 14.7%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

On the median annual salary of $28,000, gross monthly income is $2,333. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,989 per month (or $918 every two weeks).

Is $28,000 a good salary in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

At $28,000, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 39.4% of the Michigan City-La Porte, IN median household income ($71,055). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.7, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.