Waiter Salary in Detroit, MI
Updated
The median waiter in the Detroit area earns $37,490 a year ($18.02 an hour), 6% above the U.S. median ($35,230) and 1% below the Michigan median ($37,760). Half of the 29,210 waiters there earn between $28,770 and $59,530.
Median $37,490
10th: $25,96090th: $64,210
| Annual pay | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $25,960 | $25,960 | $18,100 |
| 25th percentile | $28,770 | $29,350 | $27,750 |
| Median | $37,490 | $37,760 | $35,230 |
| 75th percentile | $59,530 | $58,550 | $47,110 |
| 90th percentile | $64,210 | $64,350 | $64,720 |
| Average | $45,080 | $44,910 | $40,060 |
| Jobs | 29,210 | 65,090 | 2,270,910 |
Detroit, MI ranks 14th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for waiter pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($57,280).
Paid less than $37,490? That gap, with its source, is the strongest line in a raise request. Check your pay for your level in 30 seconds. Free, no sign-up.
Check my payWaiter pay in other cities
- Grand Rapids, MI: $42,930
- Seattle, WA: $57,280
- Portland, OR: $54,780
- New York, NY: $47,610
- Phoenix, AZ: $47,530
- Buffalo, NY: $46,580
- Washington, DC: $46,040
- San Jose, CA: $41,920
- All cities
Similar jobs in Detroit, MI
- Fast Food Worker: $29,590
- Bartender: $36,780
- Restaurant Cook: $37,410
- Food Service Supervisor: $38,570
- Food Preparation Worker: $33,060
- All jobs in Detroit, MI
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.