Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Kalamazoo, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

Median annual salary $35,930 +6.4% vs national
Median hourly $17.27
10th percentile $22,030
90th percentile $61,720
Employed locally 1,690
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Kalamazoo, MI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,030
    25th
    $26,750
    50th (median)
    $35,930
    75th
    $46,820
    90th
    $61,720

    Kalamazoo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,525 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 51% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 49% 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
    Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI $36,260
    Flint, MI $36,150
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $36,120

    Related occupations in Kalamazoo, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,840
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,150
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,270
    Bartenders $43,150
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $36,140
    Food Preparation Workers $30,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Kalamazoo?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Kalamazoo, MI is $17.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.61 or more per hour.

    Is Kalamazoo above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Kalamazoo, MI is 6.4% 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 Kalamazoo?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $22,030 per year in Kalamazoo, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,750.