Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary in Iowa
Food Servers, Nonrestaurants in Iowa make a median of $29,270 a year, or about $14.07 an hour. The range runs from $26K at the entry level to $36K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $29K get you in Iowa?
About food servers, nonrestaurants
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level food servers, nonrestaurants (10th percentile) start around $26K. Mid-career wages sit at $29K. Top earners bring in $36K or more, a $10K spread from bottom to top.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary by metro in Iowa
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $34K | +15% | 1,150 |
| Sioux City | $32K | +8% | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $31K | +7% | 570 |
| Ames | $31K | +7% | 160 |
| Dubuque | $31K | +7% | 180 |
| Cedar Rapids | $29K | +1% | 490 |
| Iowa City | $29K | -1% | 230 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $28K | -5% | 290 |
Compare to other states
Track food servers, nonrestaurant salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food servers, nonrestaurants make in Iowa?
The median is $29,270 a year, that works out to about $14 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $26,220, and experienced food servers, nonrestaurants can clear $36,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $29K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,023/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 52.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a food servers, nonrestaurant salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food servers, nonrestaurant salary is worth about $32,939 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food servers, nonrestaurants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.