How much does a food server make in Iowa City?
$29,350a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in the Iowa City, IA metro area. That is $14.11 an hour or $2,446 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.11
- Vs. national median
- -17%
- Rank among cities
- 284 of 353
- Jobs in the area
- 250
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,620Median: $29,350Highest 10%: $36,120
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,620 | $13.28 | |
| 25th | $28,240 | $13.58 | |
| Median | $29,350 | $14.11 | |
| 75th | $33,980 | $16.34 | |
| 90th | $36,120 | $17.37 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for food servers.
| 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 |
| Waterloo, IA | $28,140 |
Related jobs in Iowa City
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $48,760 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,970 |
| Cook | $36,670 |
| Cook | $35,990 |
| Cook | $35,910 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,120 |
| Dishwasher | $29,530 |
| Cook | $29,200 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,860 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in Iowa City?
The median hourly pay in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $14.11 ($29,350 a year).
Do food servers make more in Iowa City than the national average?
No: $29,350 against $35,360 nationally, 17% less.
How does Iowa City compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $30,110, so Iowa City pays 3% less.
Where does Iowa City rank for food server pay?
284 of 353 metro areas with data.
How much does a food server make starting out in Iowa City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,620 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,120 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.