SOC 35-3041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
At $33,900, median pay for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Northern Michigan, MI tracks the national median of $35,360 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $33,900, median pay for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Northern Michigan, MI tracks the national median of $35,360 closely. Pay ranges from under $27,950 at the tenth percentile to more than $42,660 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $29,870 to $36,960.
The area has 190 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.84 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Saginaw records the highest median at $37,030. Of the 361 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 329th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,950 | −21.0% |
| 25th | $29,870 | −15.5% |
| Median (50th) | $33,900 | −4.1% |
| 75th | $36,960 | +4.5% |
| 90th | $42,660 | +20.6% |
| Mean | $34,090 | −3.6% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saginaw | $37,030 | 290 | |
| 2 | Battle Creek | $36,710 | 270 | |
| 3 | Muskegon | $36,250 | 180 | |
| 4 | Detroit | $35,170 | 3,210 | |
| 5 | Traverse City | $35,070 | 140 | |
| 6 | Kalamazoo | $34,880 | 280 | |
| 7 | Lansing | $34,700 | 430 | |
| 8 | Ann Arbor | $34,170 | 360 | |
| 9 | Grand Rapids | $32,770 | 1,160 | |
| 10 | Bay City | $32,370 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northern Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $33,900 goes as far as $35,239 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$33,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,239US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $33,900 a year, 4.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,950 to $42,660 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 190 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Saginaw, at $37,030.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Northern Michigan, MI?
The median annual wage is $33,900, or $16.30 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,360, so pay in Northern Michigan, MI is 4.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northern Michigan, MI earns more than $42,660 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,950 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Saginaw, at $37,030 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 190 jobs in this occupation in Northern Michigan, MI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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