Bartender Salary in Des Moines, IA
Bartenders in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $22,340 a year — 35% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $19,810 take-home, or $1,651 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$624
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,385
- Medicare (1.45%)$324
- Iowa income tax$197
- Take-home pay$19,810
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.80% state
Bartender pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,250 | $8.29 | $15,812 | $1,318 |
| 25th percentile | $18,770 | $9.02 | $17,006 | $1,417 |
| Median (50th) | $22,340 | $10.74 | $19,810 | $1,651 |
| 75th percentile | $31,830 | $15.30 | $27,198 | $2,266 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,880 | $22.06 | $37,953 | $3,163 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $22,340 buys in Des Moines, IA
Prices in Des Moines, IA are 8.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $19,810 take-home pay has the buying power of $21,603 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bartender jobs are about as common in Des Moines, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.12).
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #195 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $86,280 | $64,501 | $58,962 |
| 2 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $75,340 | $57,636 | $51,943 |
| 3 | Kennewick, WA | $55,820 | $47,031 | $46,994 |
| 4 | Bellingham, WA | $56,110 | $47,264 | $45,739 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $58,180 | $48,928 | $44,026 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $61,220 | $48,661 | $43,230 |
| 7 | Bremerton, WA | $53,810 | $45,416 | $43,005 |
| 8 | Portland, ME | $54,170 | $43,231 | $42,442 |
| 195 | Des Moines, IA | $22,340 | $19,810 | $21,603 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
Bartender salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Davenport, IA — $31,200
- Dubuque, IA — $21,720
- Waterloo, IA — $21,540
- Ames, IA — $21,580
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $21,600
- Iowa City, IA — $21,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Des Moines, IA?
The median bartender salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $22,340 a year, or about $10.74 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $18,770 and $31,830.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $22,340 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $19,810 a year ($1,651 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $197 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 35% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $21,603 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #195 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Des Moines, IA is $1,092 a month ($1,302 for two bedrooms) — 66% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Chef and Head Cook — $51,210
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $42,650
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,320
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,070
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $33,790
- Food Preparation Worker — $33,120
- Dishwasher — $30,450
- Cooks, Fast Food — $30,360
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,140
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,270
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $27,730
- Waiter and Waitress — $20,410