Waiters and Waitresses pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $10.10 an hour ($21,000 a year). About 22,410 people work in this job there.
That is 40% lower than the U.S. median ($35,230). Iowa ranks 47th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| 25% of workers | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Half of workers (median) | $10.10 | $21,000 |
| 75% of workers | $17.00 | $35,370 |
| 90% of workers | $23.07 | $47,980 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $31,200 | 2,680 |
| Sioux City | $26,430 | 1,030 |
| Ames | $22,710 | 1,010 |
| Iowa City | $22,030 | 1,890 |
| Cedar Rapids | $21,670 | 1,920 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $21,490 | 1,280 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $20,410 | 6,250 |
| Dubuque | $20,060 | 810 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for waiters and waitresses
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 423,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,760 |
| Bartenders | $21,720 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,110 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,360 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,210 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,210 |
| Food Service Managers | $66,700 |
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.