Waiter and Waitress Salary in Muncie, IN
Waiters and Waitresses in the Muncie, IN metro area earn a median $23,720 a year — 33% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $20,473 take-home, or $1,706 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Muncie, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$762
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,471
- Medicare (1.45%)$344
- Indiana income tax$670
- Take-home pay$20,473
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 2.95% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Muncie, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,750 | $8.05 | $14,939 | $1,245 |
| 25th percentile | $18,190 | $8.75 | $16,082 | $1,340 |
| Median (50th) | $23,720 | $11.40 | $20,473 | $1,706 |
| 75th percentile | $34,620 | $16.64 | $29,005 | $2,417 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,130 | $21.70 | $37,140 | $3,095 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $23,720 buys in Muncie, IN
Prices in Muncie, IN are 11.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 43% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $20,473 take-home pay has the buying power of $23,226 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Waiter and Waitress jobs are about as common in Muncie, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.12).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Muncie, IN ranks #296 of 375 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $82,550 | $62,160 | $56,823 |
| 2 | Burlington, VT | $61,620 | $50,061 | $49,591 |
| 3 | Bellingham, WA | $56,700 | $47,738 | $46,198 |
| 4 | Bremerton, WA | $55,270 | $46,589 | $44,116 |
| 5 | Mount Vernon, WA | $53,060 | $44,814 | $43,745 |
| 6 | Yakima, WA | $49,060 | $41,600 | $43,539 |
| 7 | Kennewick, WA | $51,460 | $43,528 | $43,494 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $57,280 | $48,204 | $43,375 |
| 296 | Muncie, IN | $23,720 | $20,473 | $23,226 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 375 metros →
Waiter and Waitress salaries elsewhere in Indiana
- Kokomo, IN — $28,420
- Evansville, IN — $28,550
- Elkhart, IN — $28,060
- Fort Wayne, IN — $28,650
- South Bend, IN — $28,740
- Michigan City, IN — $28,260
- Lafayette, IN — $28,420
- Terre Haute, IN — $26,520
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Muncie, IN?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Muncie, IN metro area is $23,720 a year, or about $11.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $18,190 and $34,620.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Muncie, IN?
On the median $23,720 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $20,473 a year ($1,706 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $670 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Muncie, IN a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 33% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 11.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $23,226 would in a typical U.S. city. Muncie, IN ranks #296 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Muncie, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Muncie, IN is $845 a month ($1,043 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Muncie, IN
- Cooks, Restaurant — $30,050
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,560