How much does a food server make in Iowa?
$30,110a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in Iowa. That is $14.48 an hour or $2,509 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.48
- Vs. national median
- -15%
- Rank among states
- 44 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 5,270
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,020Median: $30,110Highest 10%: $36,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,020 | $12.99 | |
| 25th | $28,440 | $13.67 | |
| Median | $30,110 | $14.48 | |
| 75th | $34,610 | $16.64 | |
| 90th | $36,600 | $17.60 |
Cities in Iowa
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Des Moines, IA | $33,790 |
| Dubuque, IA | $32,270 |
| Omaha, NE | $32,150 |
| Ames, IA | $31,840 |
| Davenport, IA | $31,730 |
| Sioux City, IA | $31,290 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,940 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,350 |
| Waterloo, IA | $28,140 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food servers.
| 41. Ohio | $30,440 |
| 42. Utah | $30,170 |
| 43. West Virginia | $30,170 |
| 44. Iowa | $30,110 |
| 45. Texas | $29,300 |
| 46. Kansas | $29,040 |
| 47. Alabama | $29,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in Iowa?
The median hourly pay in Iowa is $14.48 ($30,110 a year).
Do food servers make more in Iowa than the national average?
No: $30,110 against $35,360 nationally, 15% less.
Where does Iowa rank for food server pay?
Iowa ranks 44 of 51 states.
Which city in Iowa pays food servers the most?
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, with a median of $33,790 a year.
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.