Waiters and Waitresses

SOC 35-3031 · Hospitality, Food & Personal Services

3,458

jobs in Hamilton County, 2026

730

estimated openings each year

$28,013

median pay in Hamilton County

-3.1%

projected job growth

Source: Lightcast Q1 2026 occupation snapshot, Hamilton County, IN.

What this job pays in the Indianapolis area

Half of workers earn more than the median, half earn less. The range below runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

Point in the range	Per year	Per hour
10th percentile	$18,070	$8.69
25th percentile	$21,040	$10.12
Median (middle)	$29,050	$13.97
75th percentile	$37,070	$17.82
90th percentile	$49,380	$23.74

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release, Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood MSA. Hamilton County employers often pay above the metro median for skilled roles. "Not published" means the federal source suppressed or top-coded that value.

What you need to get started

Most common education: A high school diploma or GED.

How much preparation: Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma and a few months of learning on the job.

Source: O*NET database, U.S. Department of Labor (2021-2023 vintages).

Where this role can lead

Upward moves documented from real job changes in this region, with how pay typically changes.

Occupation	Match score	Monthly postings	Typical pay change
Bartenders	93 of 100	69.0	+$2,478 per year
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	92 of 100	67.8	-$2,350 per year
Food Service Managers	91 of 100	236.0	+$18,102 per year
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	89 of 100	192.6	+$8,240 per year
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	86 of 100	102.8	-$3,234 per year
Cooks, Fast Food	84 of 100	20.2	+$998 per year
Chefs and Head Cooks	82 of 100	31.9	+$24,768 per year
Cooks, Restaurant	80 of 100	87.2	-$252 per year

Common paths into this role

Jobs people often hold before moving into Waiters and Waitresses.

Occupation	Match score	Monthly postings	Typical pay change
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant	98 of 100	12.4	-$4,825 per year
Food Preparation Workers	95 of 100	142.4	-$4,600 per year
Bartenders	93 of 100	69.0	+$2,478 per year
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	92 of 100	67.8	-$2,350 per year
Fast Food and Counter Workers	91 of 100	186.8	-$4,683 per year
Dishwashers	86 of 100	65.5	-$5,396 per year
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	86 of 100	102.8	-$3,234 per year
Cooks, Fast Food	84 of 100	20.2	+$998 per year

This role is a documented next step from

Fast Food and Counter Workers

Recommended next moves

Moves with real local demand and a meaningful pay gain.

Move to	Pay gain per year	Monthly postings
Food Service Managers	+$18,102	236.0

Source: Lightcast Career Pathways, Q1 2026, Indianapolis MSA (network built July 2026 from 64 exports).

Local training that can get you there

The Pursuit Institute (TPI) K-12 CTE
K-12 CTE consortium serving all 6 Hamilton County school corps. 9 career pathways, 15 TPI-managed programs, 450+ courses. Advanced manufacturing, healthcare, business/finance, education, agriculture, info tech, hospitality, engineering.
InvestOnward Workforce Training
Workforce training and re-entry support. Entry-level trades, construction, logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, customer service.
InvestAbility Disability Workforce
Supported employment for individuals with disabilities — cross-cutting across entry-level service, admin, retail, and production roles.
Re-Entry Workforce Initiative Justice-Involved Workforce
Workforce re-entry for individuals exiting jail, in SUD recovery, or under Community Corrections supervision. Funded by Hamilton County Commissioners + Council.

Source: IHC program registry, curated April 2026. Programs decide their own eligibility and enrollment.

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