How much does a bartender make in Des Moines?
$22,340a year
Median yearly pay for bartenders in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $10.74 an hour or $1,862 a month.
- Hourly
- $10.74
- Vs. national median
- -35%
- Rank among cities
- 329 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 2,200
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $17,250Median: $22,340Highest 10%: $45,880
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,250 | $8.29 | |
| 25th | $18,770 | $9.02 | |
| Median | $22,340 | $10.74 | |
| 75th | $31,830 | $15.30 | |
| 90th | $45,880 | $22.06 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for bartenders.
| Omaha, NE | $34,630 |
| Davenport, IA | $31,200 |
| Sioux City, IA | $23,750 |
| Iowa City, IA | $21,900 |
| Dubuque, IA | $21,720 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $21,600 |
| Ames, IA | $21,580 |
| Waterloo, IA | $21,540 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $51,210 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $42,650 |
| Cook | $36,760 |
| Cook | $36,320 |
| Cook | $36,070 |
| Food Server | $33,790 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,120 |
| Dishwasher | $30,450 |
| Cook | $30,360 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,140 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $10.74 ($22,340 a year).
Do bartenders make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $22,340 against $34,340 nationally, 35% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $21,720, so Des Moines pays 3% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for bartender pay?
329 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a bartender make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $17,250 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,880 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.