Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Southwest Iowa

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $21,780 -35.5% vs national
Median hourly $10.47
10th percentile $16,450
90th percentile $48,960
Employed locally 680
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Southwest Iowa stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Waiters and Waitresses
in
Southwest Iowa
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $16,450
    25th
    $18,350
    50th (median)
    $21,780
    75th
    $35,650
    90th
    $48,960

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Related occupations in Southwest Iowa

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,630
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $32,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,870
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,490
    Food Preparation Workers $28,640
    Food Servers, Nonrestaurant $28,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Southwest Iowa?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Southwest Iowa is $10.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.50 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest Iowa above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Southwest Iowa is 35.5% below the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Southwest Iowa?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $16,450 per year in Southwest Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $18,350.