Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $27,880 -14.7% vs national
Median hourly $13.41
10th percentile $17,660
90th percentile $37,580
Employed locally 130
National median $32,670

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Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $17,660
    25th
    $20,810
    50th (median)
    $27,880
    75th
    $31,190
    90th
    $37,580

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary vs area income 39% Median Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary is 61% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $52,980
    Hawaii $47,190
    Urban Honolulu, HI $44,990
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $43,750
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $42,600
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $42,170

    Nearby metros — Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $38,160
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $36,770
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $36,380
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $36,010
    California $35,790
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $35,120

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,890
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,660
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,310
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,290
    Bartenders $22,610
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,330

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in Ames, IA is $13.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.92 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salaries?

    The median Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary in Ames, IA is 14.7% below the national median of $32,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in Ames?

    Entry-level Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers (10th percentile) earn around $17,660 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,810.