salary$29,050 a year$14 an hour · median pay in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$18,070per year
Top pay (top 10%)$49,380per year
Jobs in the area15,830people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford Indianapolis?
Expensive. Rent of $1,465 a month takes 60.5% of the median server (waiter/waitress) salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Server (Waiter/Waitress) pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a server (waiter/waitress) make in Indianapolis, IN?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN area is $29,050 a year ($14 an hour). Most earn between $18,070 and $49,380.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in Indianapolis?
Typical rent of $1,465 a month takes 60.5% of the median server (waiter/waitress) salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area.