How much does a waiter and waitress make in Lafayette?
$28,420a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area. That is $13.66 an hour or $2,368 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.66
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among cities
- 262 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 1,490
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $17,450Median: $28,420Highest 10%: $47,250
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,450 | $8.39 | |
| 25th | $21,190 | $10.19 | |
| Median | $28,420 | $13.66 | |
| 75th | $35,900 | $17.26 | |
| 90th | $47,250 | $22.72 |
Other cities in Indiana
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Cincinnati, OH | $36,530 |
| Chicago, IL | $31,200 |
| Louisville, KY | $30,180 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $29,050 |
| South Bend, IN | $28,740 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $28,650 |
| Evansville, IN | $28,550 |
| Bloomington, IN | $28,540 |
| Kokomo, IN | $28,420 |
| Michigan City, IN | $28,260 |
| Elkhart, IN | $28,060 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $26,520 |
| Columbus, IN | $26,340 |
| Muncie, IN | $23,720 |
Related jobs in Lafayette
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,750 |
| Chef and Head Cook | $40,300 |
| Cook | $38,580 |
| Cook | $34,870 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $34,820 |
| Food Server | $29,990 |
| Cook | $29,540 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,500 |
| Dishwasher | $28,690 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,230 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Lafayette?
The median hourly pay in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $13.66 ($28,420 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Lafayette than the national average?
No: $28,420 against $35,230 nationally, 19% less.
How does Lafayette compare with the rest of Indiana?
The median in Indiana is $28,480, so Lafayette pays 0% more.
Where does Lafayette rank for waiter and waitress pay?
262 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Lafayette?
The lowest-paid 10% make $17,450 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,250 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.