Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Grand Rapids, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI

Median annual salary $36,260 +7.4% vs national
Median hourly $17.43
10th percentile $22,150
90th percentile $73,790
Employed locally 7,960
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Grand Rapids, MI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,150
    25th
    $27,710
    50th (median)
    $36,260
    75th
    $48,710
    90th
    $73,790

    Grand Rapids economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,296 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 45% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 55% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Elmira, NY $39,190
    Saginaw, MI $36,400
    Ann Arbor, MI $36,360
    Flint, MI $36,150
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $36,120
    Niles, MI $36,060

    Related occupations in Grand Rapids, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,020
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,950
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $40,190
    Bartenders $46,470
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $27,810
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $31,020

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Grand Rapids?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Grand Rapids, MI is $17.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.38 or more per hour.

    Is Grand Rapids above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Grand Rapids, MI is 7.4% above the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Grand Rapids?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $22,150 per year in Grand Rapids, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,710.