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Average Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI area earn an average annual salary of $36,010. This figure slightly surpasses the national average of $34,860, indicating a localized demand that influences compensation. Factors such as the specific service industry needs within the region and the overall economic landscape contribute to this pay differential.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $36,010 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 23.2% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $49,610.
  • Outlook: The Kalamazoo-Portage area supports a local workforce of 280 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. With a Location Quotient of 1.34, this role is more concentrated here than the national average, suggesting a robust demand for these services within the local economy. The presence of 2.369 jobs per 1,000 workers further underscores the consistent need for this profession.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$36,010

The average Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI earns+3.3%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$17.3

Weekly

$693

Monthly

$3,001

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary Distribution in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

Salary progression for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at a lower percentile, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can command salaries in the higher percentiles. The observable gaps between entry-level and senior roles signify clear career progression pathways and increased earning potential within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$27,100$13
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$27,008$13
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$35,720$17.2
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$45,013$21.6
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$49,610$23.9

Detailed Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$36,010

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$36,010

Adjusted for COL (100)

With an average annual salary of $36,010 and a Cost of Living Index of 100, the nominal income for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI, aligns precisely with the national average cost of living. This means that the purchasing power of the salary is effectively on par with the national standard, offering no significant advantage or disadvantage in terms of real income.

Job Market Context

280

Total Jobs

2.369

Per 1K Jobs

1.34

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.34, Kalamazoo-Portage, MI has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Food Servers, Nonrestaurant roles compared to the national norm.

The Location Quotient of 1.34 for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Kalamazoo-Portage indicates a higher concentration of these jobs compared to the national average. This suggests that the job market in this area is more specialized or in higher demand for this particular occupation, potentially leading to more opportunities and competitive compensation relative to other regions.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

Comparing salaries near Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

Hiring Food Servers, Nonrestaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant make in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

The median annual salary for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is $36,010. This typically ranges from $27,100 for entry-level positions to $49,610 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is 3.3% higher than the national median of $34,860.

Is Kalamazoo-Portage, MI a lucrative place for Food Servers, Nonrestaurants?

Yes, it offers slightly above-average earnings.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Kalamazoo-Portage earn $36,010 annually, exceeding the national average. Coupled with a cost of living that matches the national average, this makes the area a stable, if not exceptionally lucrative, location for this profession.

Is Kalamazoo-Portage, MI a good place to live for Food Servers, Nonrestaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

Some top paying nearby cities include Battle Creek, MI ($34,540) and Elkhart-Goshen, IN.

How does the local salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is $36,010, which is $1,150 higher than the national average of $34,860.

What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) of 1.34?

An LQ of 1.34 signifies that Food Servers, Nonrestaurant jobs are 34% more concentrated in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI, than the national average, indicating higher local demand relative to the national landscape.

How does the cost of living in Kalamazoo-Portage affect the salary?

The Cost of Living Index is 100, meaning it is exactly average nationally. Therefore, the $36,010 salary in Kalamazoo-Portage has purchasing power equivalent to the national average.

What is the total number of Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in the area?

There are approximately 280 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant employed within the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 280 employees in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI area with a job density of 2.369 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.