Bartender salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bartenders in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $21,600 a year ($10.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $17,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,990 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $21,720. There are 5.7 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $25,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,190 | $8.27 |
| 25th percentile | $18,120 | $8.71 |
| Median | $21,600 | $10.38 |
| 75th percentile | $28,020 | $13.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,990 | $20.19 |
| Average (mean) | $25,470 | $12.24 |
Half of bartenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $1,800 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $900 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $830.77 |
| Weekly | $415.38 |
| Hourly | $10.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $34,630 | 3,790 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 1,470 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $23,750 | 430 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $22,340 | 2,200 |
| Iowa City, IA | $21,900 | 790 |
| Dubuque, IA | $21,720 | 460 |
| Ames, IA | $21,580 | 450 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $21,540 | 540 |
Highest-paying states for bartenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 |
| New York | $61,210 |
| Washington | $55,830 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 |
| Maine | $48,920 |
| Virginia | $47,070 |
| Vermont | $45,450 |
| Arizona | $45,070 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 |
| Oregon | $38,900 |
See Bartender pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,280 | $13.60 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,670 | $10.42 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,940 | $14.87 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| Dishwasher | $29,310 | $14.09 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,050 | $13.49 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,940 | $15.84 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for bartenders in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $21,600 a year, or $10.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $41,990 a year. The top 25% earn $28,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,190 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $18,120 or less.
How many bartenders work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 790 bartenders are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.