Waiters and Waitresses pay in Des Moines-West Des Moines
In Des Moines-West Des Moines (IA), the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $9.81 an hour ($20,410 a year). About 6,250 people work in this job there.
That is 42% lower than the U.S. median ($35,230). It is 3% lower than the Iowa median ($21,000).
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Des Moines-West Des Moines (IA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| 25% of workers | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Half of workers (median) | $9.81 | $20,410 |
| 75% of workers | $17.42 | $36,240 |
| 90% of workers | $23.44 | $48,760 |
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 (this page) | $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 Des Moines-West Des Moines (IA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,140 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,650 |
| Bartenders | $22,340 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,790 |
Other job titles for this job
Open waiters and waitresses jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring waiters and waitresses? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.