How much does a waiter and waitress make in Iowa City?
$22,030a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Iowa City, IA metro area. That is $10.59 an hour or $1,836 a month.
- Hourly
- $10.59
- Vs. national median
- -37%
- Rank among cities
- 340 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 1,890
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $15,080Median: $22,030Highest 10%: $48,620
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,080 | $7.25 | |
| 25th | $15,180 | $7.30 | |
| Median | $22,030 | $10.59 | |
| 75th | $36,780 | $17.68 | |
| 90th | $48,620 | $23.38 |
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 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $21,670 |
| Waterloo, IA | $21,490 |
| Des Moines, IA | $20,410 |
| Dubuque, IA | $20,060 |
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 |
| Food Server | $29,350 |
| Cook | $29,200 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,860 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Iowa City?
The median hourly pay in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $10.59 ($22,030 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Iowa City than the national average?
No: $22,030 against $35,230 nationally, 37% less.
How does Iowa City compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $21,000, so Iowa City pays 5% more.
Where does Iowa City rank for waiter and waitress pay?
340 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Iowa City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $15,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,620 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.