Waiters and Waitresses salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Waiters and Waitresses in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $21,670 a year ($10.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,920 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,720 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $21,000. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| 25th percentile | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| Median | $21,670 | $10.42 |
| 75th percentile | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,720 | $23.43 |
| Average (mean) | $27,490 | $13.21 |
Half of waiters and waitresses 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 | $1,805.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $902.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $833.46 |
| Weekly | $416.73 |
| Hourly | $10.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $34,290 | 7,620 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 2,680 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $26,430 | 1,030 |
| Ames, IA | $22,710 | 1,010 |
| Iowa City, IA | $22,030 | 1,890 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $21,490 | 1,280 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $20,410 | 6,250 |
| Dubuque, IA | $20,060 | 810 |
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 |
| Vermont | $59,140 |
| Washington | $56,130 |
| Oregon | $48,410 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 |
| Colorado | $44,860 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Arizona | $43,950 |
See Waiters and Waitresses 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 |
| Bartender | $21,600 | $10.38 |
| 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 35-3031. 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 waiters and waitresses make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $21,670 a year, or $10.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $48,720 a year. The top 25% earn $36,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,080 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $15,080 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 1,920 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.