How much does a host and hostess make in Des Moines?
$28,270a year
Median yearly pay for host and hostesss in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $13.59 an hour or $2,356 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.59
- Vs. national median
- -9%
- Rank among cities
- 185 of 381
- Jobs in the area
- 850
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,360Median: $28,270Highest 10%: $38,430
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,360 | $10.75 | |
| 25th | $26,210 | $12.60 | |
| Median | $28,270 | $13.59 | |
| 75th | $31,870 | $15.32 | |
| 90th | $38,430 | $18.48 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for host and hostesss.
| Davenport, IA | $31,200 |
| Iowa City, IA | $28,510 |
| Omaha, NE | $28,500 |
| Ames, IA | $28,480 |
| Dubuque, IA | $28,340 |
| Waterloo, IA | $28,190 |
| Sioux City, IA | $28,080 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $28,050 |
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 host and hostess make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $13.59 ($28,270 a year).
Do host and hostesss make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $28,270 against $31,200 nationally, 9% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $28,210, so Des Moines pays 0% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for host and hostess pay?
185 of 381 metro areas with data.
How much does a host and hostess make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,360 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,430 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.