How much does a waiter and waitress make in Waterloo?
$21,490a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area. That is $10.33 an hour or $1,791 a month.
- Hourly
- $10.33
- Vs. national median
- -39%
- Rank among cities
- 349 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 1,280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $15,080Median: $21,490Highest 10%: $48,840
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,080 | $7.25 | |
| 25th | $15,080 | $7.25 | |
| Median | $21,490 | $10.33 | |
| 75th | $34,230 | $16.46 | |
| 90th | $48,840 | $23.48 |
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 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $21,670 |
| Des Moines, IA | $20,410 |
| Dubuque, IA | $20,060 |
Related jobs in Waterloo
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $44,610 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,180 |
| Cook | $35,680 |
| Cook | $35,420 |
| Cook | $33,520 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,050 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,930 |
| Dishwasher | $28,890 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,190 |
| Food Server | $28,140 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Waterloo?
The median hourly pay in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $10.33 ($21,490 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Waterloo than the national average?
No: $21,490 against $35,230 nationally, 39% less.
How does Waterloo compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $21,000, so Waterloo pays 2% more.
Where does Waterloo rank for waiter and waitress pay?
349 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Waterloo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $15,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,840 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.