Waiter and Waitress Salary in South Bend, IN
Waiters and Waitresses in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn a median $28,740 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,454 take-home, or $2,038 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in South Bend, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,269
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,782
- Medicare (1.45%)$417
- Indiana income tax$818
- Take-home pay$24,454
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
The South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro spans Indiana, Michigan. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in South Bend, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,480 | $8.40 | $15,519 | $1,293 |
| 25th percentile | $21,470 | $10.32 | $18,687 | $1,557 |
| Median (50th) | $28,740 | $13.82 | $24,454 | $2,038 |
| 75th percentile | $37,070 | $17.82 | $30,902 | $2,575 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,190 | $23.65 | $40,283 | $3,357 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,740 buys in South Bend, IN
Prices in South Bend, IN are 7.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 25% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $24,454 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,335 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 South Bend, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
South Bend, IN ranks #258 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 |
| 258 | South Bend, IN | $28,740 | $24,454 | $26,335 |
*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
- Michigan City, IN — $28,260
- Lafayette, IN — $28,420
- Terre Haute, IN — $26,520
- Indianapolis, IN — $29,050
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in South Bend, IN?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area is $28,740 a year, or about $13.82 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $21,470 and $37,070.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in South Bend, IN?
On the median $28,740 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $24,454 a year ($2,038 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $818 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is South Bend, IN a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,335 would in a typical U.S. city. South Bend, IN ranks #258 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in South Bend, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in South Bend, IN is $1,073 a month ($1,244 for two bedrooms) — 53% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in South Bend, IN
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $43,740
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,010
- Cooks, Restaurant — $34,650
- Food Preparation Worker — $29,970
- Cooks, Fast Food — $29,540
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,080
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,140
- Bartender — $23,000