Bartenders Salary in Iowa City, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Iowa City, IA

Median annual salary $22,880 -31.8% vs national
Median hourly $11.00
10th percentile $17,470
90th percentile $46,820
Employed locally 750
National median $33,530

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Bartenders
in
Iowa City, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $17,470
    25th
    $20,270
    50th (median)
    $22,880
    75th
    $30,810
    90th
    $46,820

    Iowa City economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,142 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 31% Median Bartenders salary is 69% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Bartenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $80,040
    Urban Honolulu, HI $70,300
    Hawaii $68,820
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $65,480
    New York $60,750
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $59,390

    Nearby metros — Bartenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $54,930
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $50,070
    Virginia $46,860
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $46,020
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $45,220
    Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA $37,730

    Related occupations in Iowa City, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,610
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,520
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,880
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,240
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $36,230
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $27,740

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in Iowa City?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in Iowa City, IA is $11.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.50 or more per hour.

    Is Iowa City above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in Iowa City, IA is 31.8% below the national median of $33,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Bartenders in Iowa City?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $17,470 per year in Iowa City, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,270.