How much does a bartender make in Ames?
$21,580a year
Median yearly pay for bartenders in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $10.38 an hour or $1,798 a month.
- Hourly
- $10.38
- Vs. national median
- -37%
- Rank among cities
- 349 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 450
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $17,260Median: $21,580Highest 10%: $38,780
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,260 | $8.30 | |
| 25th | $18,420 | $8.86 | |
| Median | $21,580 | $10.38 | |
| 75th | $26,850 | $12.91 | |
| 90th | $38,780 | $18.64 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for bartenders.
| Omaha, NE | $34,630 |
| Davenport, IA | $31,200 |
| Sioux City, IA | $23,750 |
| Des Moines, IA | $22,340 |
| Iowa City, IA | $21,900 |
| Dubuque, IA | $21,720 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $21,600 |
| Waterloo, IA | $21,540 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $51,360 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,710 |
| Cook | $36,540 |
| Cook | $36,410 |
| Cook | $36,070 |
| Food Server | $31,840 |
| Dishwasher | $30,110 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,900 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,630 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,220 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $10.38 ($21,580 a year).
Do bartenders make more in Ames than the national average?
No: $21,580 against $34,340 nationally, 37% less.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $21,720, so Ames pays 1% less.
Where does Ames rank for bartender pay?
349 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a bartender make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $17,260 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,780 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.