How much does a waiter and waitress make in Ames?
$22,710a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $10.92 an hour or $1,893 a month.
- Hourly
- $10.92
- Vs. national median
- -36%
- Rank among cities
- 326 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 1,010
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $15,080Median: $22,710Highest 10%: $50,610
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,080 | $7.25 | |
| 25th | $15,560 | $7.48 | |
| Median | $22,710 | $10.92 | |
| 75th | $38,580 | $18.55 | |
| 90th | $50,610 | $24.33 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Omaha, NE | $34,290 |
| Davenport, IA | $31,200 |
| Sioux City, IA | $26,430 |
| Iowa City, IA | $22,030 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $21,670 |
| Waterloo, IA | $21,490 |
| Des Moines, IA | $20,410 |
| Dubuque, IA | $20,060 |
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 waiter and waitress make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $10.92 ($22,710 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Ames than the national average?
No: $22,710 against $35,230 nationally, 36% less.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $21,000, so Ames pays 8% more.
Where does Ames rank for waiter and waitress pay?
326 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $15,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $50,610 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.