📖 Read the waiters and waitresses salary & career guide →
Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Iowa
Ranked #46 of 51 · IA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of waiters and waitressess in Iowa earn between $15,080 and $47,980. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean waiters and waitresses salary in Iowa is $26,940, about 32.8% below the U.S. average ($40,060). That works out to roughly $13/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in Iowa
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | $29,950 | 2,680 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $26,430 | $29,280 | 1,030 |
| Ames, IA | $22,710 | $29,250 | 1,010 |
| Iowa City, IA | $22,030 | $27,750 | 1,890 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $21,670 | $27,490 | 1,920 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $21,490 | $26,300 | 1,280 |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $20,990 | $25,190 | 1,270 |
| Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $20,980 | $24,880 | 690 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do waiters and waitresses make in Iowa?
The median waiters and waitresses salary in Iowa is $21,000 per year (mean $26,940), and about 80% earn between $15,080 and $47,980.
How much do waiters and waitresses make per hour in Iowa?
Roughly $13 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $26,940 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is Iowa a high-paying state for waiters and waitresses?
Iowa ranks #46 of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay. Its mean salary of $26,940 is about 32.8% below the U.S. average of $40,060.
Which metro areas in Iowa pay waiters and waitresses the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in Iowa for waiters and waitresses are Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL ($31,200), Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ($26,430), Ames, IA ($22,710), by median annual wage.