Waiters and Waitresses salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Waiters and Waitresses in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median of $28,650 a year ($13.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $17,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,840 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 1% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $28,480. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Fort Wayne, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,430 | $8.38 |
| 25th percentile | $20,870 | $10.03 |
| Median | $28,650 | $13.78 |
| 75th percentile | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Average (mean) | $30,730 | $14.78 |
Half of waiters and waitresses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,387.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,193.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,101.92 |
| Weekly | $550.96 |
| Hourly | $13.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,530 | 17,790 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $31,200 | 54,100 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,180 | 10,220 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $29,050 | 15,830 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $28,740 | 1,970 |
| Evansville, IN | $28,550 | 2,070 |
| Bloomington, IN | $28,540 | 1,620 |
| Kokomo, IN | $28,420 | 690 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $28,420 | 1,490 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $28,260 | 680 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $28,060 | 1,070 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $26,520 | 1,050 |
| Columbus, IN | $26,340 | 490 |
| Muncie, IN | $23,720 | 730 |
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 |
| Vermont | $59,140 |
| Washington | $56,130 |
| Oregon | $48,410 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 |
| Colorado | $44,860 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Arizona | $43,950 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Wayne, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,360 | $13.63 |
| Bartender | $23,010 | $11.06 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,850 | $14.83 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $25,920 | $12.46 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Dishwasher | $28,710 | $13.80 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,240 | $14.54 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,490 | $23.79 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Fort Wayne, IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiters and waitresses make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $28,650 a year, or $13.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn at least $47,840 a year. The top 25% earn $36,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Fort Wayne, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,430 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $20,870 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Fort Wayne, IN?
About 3,150 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.