Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for food servers, nonrestaurant is $14.48 an hour ($30,110 a year). About 5,270 people work in this job there.
That is 15% lower than the U.S. median ($35,360). Iowa ranks 44th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food servers, nonrestaurant in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $12.99 | $27,020 |
| 25% of workers | $13.68 | $28,440 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.48 | $30,110 |
| 75% of workers | $16.64 | $34,610 |
| 90% of workers | $17.60 | $36,600 |
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $33,790 | 1,060 |
| Dubuque | $32,270 | 230 |
| Ames | $31,840 | 180 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $31,730 | 630 |
| Sioux City | $31,290 | 230 |
| Cedar Rapids | $29,940 | 470 |
| Iowa City | $29,350 | 250 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $28,140 | 390 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food servers, nonrestaurant
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: Up to 1 month (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.5% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 48,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,390 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,000 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,670 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,810 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,360 |
| Dishwashers | $29,300 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,210 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,210 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.