Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

In the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $39,400 ($18.94/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,100/year and the 90th was $67,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Michigan tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,414 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,400$18.94 per hour · $3,283 monthly
10th Percentile$27,100$13.03/hr base
25th Percentile$30,600$14.71/hr base
75th Percentile$61,000$29.33/hr base
90th Percentile$67,100$32.26/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$39,400
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,400
Net 82%
Fed 6%
MI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,414After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,701Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,247Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,548 / yr
Michigan state income tax$1,424 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,014 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Waiters and Waitresses in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MI)
10th Percentile$13.03/hr$2,258$27,100$23,026
25th Percentile$14.71/hr$2,550$30,600$25,717
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.94/hr$3,283$39,400$32,414
75th Percentile$29.33/hr$5,083$61,000$48,852
90th Percentile$32.26/hr$5,592$67,100$53,434

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$76,664Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.30.3% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio51.4%of area median income

Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Michigan:

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI is $39,400, which equates to approximately $3,283 per month or $18.94 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI is $18.94 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.03/hour and one in ten earned more than $32.26/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI span from $27,100 at the 10th percentile to $30,600 at the 25th, $61,000 at the 75th, and $67,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

On a median gross salary of $39,400, an estimated $32,414 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,247 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Michigan in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,986 (an effective rate of 17.7%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

On the median annual salary of $39,400, gross monthly income is $3,283. After federal, FICA, and Michigan state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,701 per month (or $1,247 every two weeks).

Is $39,400 a good salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

At $39,400, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 51.4% of the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI median household income ($76,664). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.3, making regional consumer goods and services 0.3% more expensive than the U.S. average.