Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Traverse City, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Traverse City, MI

Median annual salary $35,950 +6.5% vs national
Median hourly $17.28
10th percentile $22,040
90th percentile $64,240
Employed locally 1,650
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Traverse City, MI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,040
    25th
    $28,230
    50th (median)
    $35,950
    75th
    $47,320
    90th
    $64,240

    Traverse City economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,495 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 46% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 54% 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 Traverse City, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,600
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,650
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,510
    Bartenders $44,520
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $30,270
    Food Preparation Workers $32,140

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Traverse City?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Traverse City, MI is $17.28, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.78 or more per hour.

    Is Traverse City above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Traverse City, MI is 6.5% 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 Traverse City?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $22,040 per year in Traverse City, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,230.