Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Michigan
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$25,960
- 25th Percentile — Junior$29,350
- 50th Percentile — Median$37,760
- 75th Percentile — Senior$58,550
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$64,350
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Michigan earn more than $37,760. The top 10% make $64,350 or more, while entry-level workers start around $25,960.
Waiters and Waitresses in Michigan: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Michigan ranks 13th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $44,910 per year (12.1% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 65,090 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Michigan — 2.9% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.01: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in Michigan than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $25,960; the top 10% earn over $64,350.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.59 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Michigan, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($62,460).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Michigan
Key factors affecting compensation
Michigan's key industries are Automotive, Healthcare, Technology, and its job market is rated moderate. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $44,910 on average, placing the state 13th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.9 (U.S. = 1.00), a Michigan salary of $44,910 is roughly equivalent to $49,900 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arizona ($51,170), New Jersey ($50,260), Virginia ($46,680) are the closest alternatives for Waiters and Waitresses weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Michigan
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $62,460/yr Michigan +39.1% vs this role
- Bartenders $44,470/yr Michigan 1.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,050/yr Michigan 6.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $37,570/yr Michigan 16.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,370/yr Michigan 16.8% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $33,580/yr Michigan 25.2% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $30,400/yr Michigan 32.3% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,260/yr Michigan 32.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Michigan?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Michigan is $44,910 per year (median $37,760), which is 12.1% above the national average of $40,060.
How does Michigan rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Michigan ranks 13th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Michigan?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Michigan earn about $25,960 per year and the 25th percentile is $29,350.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Michigan?
About $21.59 per hour, based on the $44,910 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Michigan?
BLS counts 65,090 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Michigan (OEWS May 2025).
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