How much does a waiter and waitress make in Cedar Rapids?
$21,670a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area. That is $10.42 an hour or $1,806 a month.
- Hourly
- $10.42
- Vs. national median
- -38%
- Rank among cities
- 348 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 1,920
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $15,080Median: $21,670Highest 10%: $48,720
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,080 | $7.25 | |
| 25th | $15,080 | $7.25 | |
| Median | $21,670 | $10.42 | |
| 75th | $36,900 | $17.74 | |
| 90th | $48,720 | $23.42 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Omaha, NE | $34,290 |
| Davenport, IA | $31,200 |
| Sioux City, IA | $26,430 |
| Ames, IA | $22,710 |
| Iowa City, IA | $22,030 |
| Waterloo, IA | $21,490 |
| Des Moines, IA | $20,410 |
| Dubuque, IA | $20,060 |
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $44,480 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,610 |
| Cook | $36,410 |
| Cook | $35,720 |
| Cook | $32,940 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,940 |
| Food Server | $29,940 |
| Dishwasher | $29,310 |
| Cook | $29,040 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,020 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Cedar Rapids?
The median hourly pay in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $10.42 ($21,670 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Cedar Rapids than the national average?
No: $21,670 against $35,230 nationally, 38% less.
How does Cedar Rapids compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $21,000, so Cedar Rapids pays 3% more.
Where does Cedar Rapids rank for waiter and waitress pay?
348 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Cedar Rapids?
The lowest-paid 10% make $15,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,720 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.