salary$38,210 a year$18 an hour · median pay in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$26,870per year
Top pay (top 10%)$64,040per year
Jobs in the area2,710people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford Lansing?
Expensive. Rent of $1,149 a month takes 36.1% of the median server (waiter/waitress) salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Server (Waiter/Waitress) pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Lansing
Registered NurseNurse PractitionerLicensed Practical NurseNursing AssistantMedical AssistantPharmacistPhysician AssistantDental HygienistElementary School TeacherSoftware DeveloperComputer Systems AnalystAccountantMarket Research AnalystOperations Manager
Frequently asked questions
How much does a server (waiter/waitress) make in Lansing, MI?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI area is $38,210 a year ($18 an hour). Most earn between $26,870 and $64,040.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in Lansing?
Typical rent of $1,149 a month takes 36.1% of the median server (waiter/waitress) salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area.