Waiter and Waitress Salary in Grand Rapids, MI
Waiters and Waitresses in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn a median $42,930 a year — 22% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,100 take-home, or $2,925 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Grand Rapids, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,972
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,662
- Medicare (1.45%)$622
- Michigan income tax$1,574
- Take-home pay$35,100
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.25% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Grand Rapids, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,140 | $13.05 | $23,057 | $1,921 |
| 25th percentile | $29,930 | $14.39 | $25,207 | $2,101 |
| Median (50th) | $42,930 | $20.64 | $35,100 | $2,925 |
| 75th percentile | $60,570 | $29.12 | $48,525 | $4,044 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,590 | $35.38 | $57,724 | $4,810 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $42,930 buys in Grand Rapids, MI
Prices in Grand Rapids, MI are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $35,100 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,737 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 Grand Rapids, MI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Grand Rapids, MI ranks #38 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 |
| 38 | Grand Rapids, MI | $42,930 | $35,100 | $36,737 |
*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
- Traverse City, MI — $41,380
- Bay City, MI — $40,500
- Jackson, MI — $39,920
- Saginaw, MI — $39,430
- Monroe, MI — $38,780
- Niles, MI — $38,130
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area is $42,930 a year, or about $20.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,930 and $60,570.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Grand Rapids, MI?
On the median $42,930 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $35,100 a year ($2,925 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,574 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Grand Rapids, MI a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 22% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,737 would in a typical U.S. city. Grand Rapids, MI ranks #38 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Grand Rapids, MI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Grand Rapids, MI is $1,242 a month ($1,479 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Grand Rapids, MI
- Chef and Head Cook — $61,890
- Bartender — $38,430
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,800
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,360
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $37,240
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $32,770
- Dishwasher — $31,940
- Food Preparation Worker — $31,920
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $30,440
- Cooks, Fast Food — $28,980
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,240
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,180