Lansing-East Lansing, MI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI

In the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $37,300 ($17.93/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,600/year and the 90th was $63,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Michigan tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,816 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,300$17.93 per hour · $3,108 monthly
10th Percentile$25,600$12.31/hr base
25th Percentile$29,000$13.94/hr base
75th Percentile$57,800$27.79/hr base
90th Percentile$63,500$30.53/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

$37,300
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,300
Net 83%
Fed 6%
MI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,816After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,568Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,185Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,296 / yr
Michigan state income tax$1,335 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,853 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Lansing-East Lansing, 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MI)
10th Percentile$12.31/hr$2,133$25,600$21,854
25th Percentile$13.94/hr$2,417$29,000$24,500
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.93/hr$3,108$37,300$30,816
75th Percentile$27.79/hr$4,817$57,800$46,417
90th Percentile$30.53/hr$5,292$63,500$50,754

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lansing-East Lansing, MI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,550Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.05% below 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Lansing-East Lansing, MI is $37,300, which equates to approximately $3,108 per month or $17.93 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Lansing-East Lansing, MI is $17.93 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.31/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.53/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Lansing-East Lansing, MI span from $25,600 at the 10th percentile to $29,000 at the 25th, $57,800 at the 75th, and $63,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

On a median gross salary of $37,300, an estimated $30,816 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,185 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Michigan in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,484 (an effective rate of 17.4%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

On the median annual salary of $37,300, gross monthly income is $3,108. After federal, FICA, and Michigan state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,568 per month (or $1,185 every two weeks).

Is $37,300 a good salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

At $37,300, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 51.4% of the Lansing-East Lansing, MI median household income ($72,550). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.0, making regional consumer goods and services 5% cheaper than the U.S. average.