Waiters and Waitresses: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Michigan (2024)

How does Waiters and Waitresses salary grow from entry-level to senior in Michigan? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

176% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Michigan salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$22,150
$1,846/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$35,400
$2,950/mo
Senior (P90)
$61,210
$5,101/mo

Michigan vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$22,150
National: $22,669
-2.3%
Mid-Career (Median)
$35,400
National: $30,084
+17.7%
Senior (P90)
$61,210
National: $57,068
+7.3%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Waiters and Waitresses in Michigan spans from $22,150 at entry-level to $61,210 at senior level — a difference of $39,060 per year.

P10
$22K
P25
$28K
Median
$35K
P75
$47K
P90
$61K

Career Growth Premium: +176%

Senior Waiters and Waitressess in Michigan earn $39,060 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$39,060
Monthly Difference
+$3,255
Hourly Difference
+$18.78
Growth Multiple
2.8x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Waiters and Waitresses salary increases with experience in Michigan, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $22,150 $1,846 $10.65
Early Career P25 $28,240 $2,353 $13.58
Mid-Career Median $35,400 $2,950 $17.02
Experienced P75 $47,030 $3,919 $22.61
Senior / Expert P90 $61,210 $5,101 $29.43
Key Insight

Waiters and Waitresses in Michigan shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $22,150, while senior-level professionals earn $61,210 — a 176% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($35,400) and experienced level ($47,030), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Michigan Compares to Other States

Where does Michigan rank for Waiters and Waitresses senior-level salaries? Compare Michigan's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$96,030
Entry: $28K
+237%
2
$95,000
Entry: $33K
+188%
3
$91,570
Entry: $31K
+195%
4
$86,460
Entry: $33K
+158%
5
$77,360
Entry: $24K
+210%
6
$76,330
Entry: $29K
+155%
7
$76,080
Entry: $22K
+235%
8
$75,890
Entry: $28K
+163%
9
$74,760
Entry: $28K
+163%
10
$74,590
Entry: $29K
+155%

Ready to Advance Your Waiters and Waitresses Career?

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Waiters and Waitresses?

Entry-level Waiters and Waitressess (10th percentile) earn approximately $22,150 per year, or $1,845 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $28,240. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Waiters and Waitresses make?

Senior Waiters and Waitressess (90th percentile) earn approximately $61,210 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $47,030. This represents a career premium of 176% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Waiters and Waitresses?

The career salary growth potential for Waiters and Waitressess is 176%. Entry-level professionals start at $22,150, while senior-level can earn up to $61,210 — a difference of $39,060 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Waiters and Waitressess?

The highest-paying state for senior Waiters and Waitressess is Michigan, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $61,210 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Waiters and Waitresses salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Michigan from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Michigan.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

Explore More in Michigan

Related Analysis
Waiters and Waitresses Salary After-Tax Take-Home Pay Cost of Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Hourly Wage Employment Outlook
Rankings
Highest Paying Jobs Jobs Over $100K Average Salary All Jobs in Michigan Career Progression Hourly Wages Employment Outlook