Waiter and Waitress Salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Waiters and Waitresses in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn a median $40,230 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,046 take-home, or $2,754 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Ann Arbor, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,648
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,494
- Medicare (1.45%)$583
- Michigan income tax$1,459
- Take-home pay$33,046
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.25% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Ann Arbor, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,420 | $13.18 | $23,276 | $1,940 |
| 25th percentile | $33,540 | $16.13 | $27,955 | $2,330 |
| Median (50th) | $40,230 | $19.34 | $33,046 | $2,754 |
| 75th percentile | $61,010 | $29.33 | $48,859 | $4,072 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,790 | $34.51 | $56,534 | $4,711 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $40,230 buys in Ann Arbor, MI
Prices in Ann Arbor, MI are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.25× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $33,046 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,758 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Waiter and Waitress jobs are about as common in Ann Arbor, MI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Ann Arbor, MI ranks #90 of 375 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $82,550 | $62,160 | $56,823 |
| 2 | Burlington, VT | $61,620 | $50,061 | $49,591 |
| 3 | Bellingham, WA | $56,700 | $47,738 | $46,198 |
| 4 | Bremerton, WA | $55,270 | $46,589 | $44,116 |
| 5 | Mount Vernon, WA | $53,060 | $44,814 | $43,745 |
| 6 | Yakima, WA | $49,060 | $41,600 | $43,539 |
| 7 | Kennewick, WA | $51,460 | $43,528 | $43,494 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $57,280 | $48,204 | $43,375 |
| 90 | Ann Arbor, MI | $40,230 | $33,046 | $32,758 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 375 metros →
Waiter and Waitress salaries elsewhere in Michigan
- Muskegon, MI — $44,920
- Flint, MI — $44,030
- Grand Rapids, MI — $42,930
- Traverse City, MI — $41,380
- Bay City, MI — $40,500
- Jackson, MI — $39,920
- Saginaw, MI — $39,430
- Monroe, MI — $38,780
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is $40,230 a year, or about $19.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,540 and $61,010.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Ann Arbor, MI?
On the median $40,230 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $33,046 a year ($2,754 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,459 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Ann Arbor, MI a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,758 would in a typical U.S. city. Ann Arbor, MI ranks #90 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Ann Arbor, MI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Ann Arbor, MI is $1,387 a month ($1,656 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Ann Arbor, MI
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $42,340
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $40,250
- Bartender — $38,300
- Cooks, Restaurant — $38,290
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $34,830
- Dishwasher — $34,440
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,100
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $33,220
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,570