SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Muskegon
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI · 10 metro areas compared
In Muskegon, MI the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses reaches $44,920 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Muskegon, MI the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses reaches $44,920 a year. That is 27.5% more than the national median of $35,230. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $29,150 and $57,680. The lowest tenth earn under $25,960, while the highest tenth earn more than $62,080.
Employment stands at 930, or 14.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Flint leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $44,030. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 168th of 253 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,960 | −26.3% |
| 25th | $29,150 | −17.3% |
| Median (50th) | $44,920 | +27.5% |
| 75th | $57,680 | +63.7% |
| 90th | $62,080 | +76.2% |
| Mean | $44,470 | +26.2% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flint | $44,030 | 2,120 | |
| 2 | Grand Rapids | $42,930 | 8,080 | |
| 3 | Traverse City | $41,380 | 1,610 | |
| 4 | Bay City | $40,500 | 570 | |
| 5 | Ann Arbor | $40,230 | 2,710 | |
| 6 | Jackson | $39,920 | 810 | |
| 7 | Saginaw | $39,430 | 1,470 | |
| 8 | Monroe | $38,780 | 660 | |
| 9 | Lansing | $38,210 | 2,710 | |
| 10 | Niles | $38,130 | 1,390 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Muskegon run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $44,920 goes as far as $46,694 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 32.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,920as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,694US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,920 a year, 27.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,960 to $62,080 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 930 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Flint, at $44,030.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Muskegon, MI?
The median annual wage is $44,920, or $21.59 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 $35,230, so pay in Muskegon, MI is 27.5% higher. 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 Muskegon, MI earns more than $62,080 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,960 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 Flint, at $44,030 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 930 jobs in this occupation in Muskegon, 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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