Waiters and Waitresses pay in Michigan
In Michigan, the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $18.16 an hour ($37,760 a year). About 65,090 people work in this job there.
That is 7% higher than the U.S. median ($35,230). Michigan ranks 15th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Michigan
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $12.48 | $25,960 |
| 25% of workers | $14.11 | $29,350 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.16 | $37,760 |
| 75% of workers | $28.15 | $58,550 |
| 90% of workers | $30.94 | $64,350 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Michigan metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | $44,920 | 930 |
| Flint | $44,030 | 2,120 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | $42,930 | 8,080 |
| Traverse City | $41,380 | 1,610 |
| Bay City | $40,500 | 570 |
| Ann Arbor | $40,230 | 2,710 |
| Jackson | $39,920 | 810 |
| Saginaw | $39,430 | 1,470 |
| Monroe | $38,780 | 660 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | $38,210 | 2,710 |
| Niles | $38,130 | 1,390 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | $37,760 | 1,740 |
| Midland | $37,750 | 430 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $37,490 | 29,210 |
| Battle Creek | $36,370 | 750 |
Michigan unemployment rate: 5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for waiters and waitresses
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 423,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,930 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,940 |
| Bartenders | $36,780 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $31,180 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,390 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,950 |
| Food Service Managers | $60,790 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,260 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.