Bartender Salary in Dubuque, IA
Bartenders in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median $21,720 a year — 37% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $19,323 take-home, or $1,610 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Dubuque, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$562
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,347
- Medicare (1.45%)$315
- Iowa income tax$174
- Take-home pay$19,323
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.80% state
Bartender pay by experience in Dubuque, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,690 | $8.02 | $15,354 | $1,280 |
| 25th percentile | $18,220 | $8.76 | $16,574 | $1,381 |
| Median (50th) | $21,720 | $10.44 | $19,323 | $1,610 |
| 75th percentile | $28,860 | $13.88 | $24,924 | $2,077 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,850 | $17.24 | $30,275 | $2,523 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $21,720 buys in Dubuque, IA
Prices in Dubuque, IA are 12.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 36% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $19,323 take-home pay has the buying power of $22,127 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Dubuque, IA has 1.6× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Dubuque, IA ranks #186 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 |
| 186 | Dubuque, IA | $21,720 | $19,323 | $22,127 |
*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
- Waterloo, IA — $21,540
- Ames, IA — $21,580
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $21,600
- Des Moines, IA — $22,340
- Iowa City, IA — $21,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Dubuque, IA?
The median bartender salary in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $21,720 a year, or about $10.44 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $18,220 and $28,860.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Dubuque, IA?
On the median $21,720 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $19,323 a year ($1,610 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $174 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Dubuque, IA a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 37% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 12.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $22,127 would in a typical U.S. city. Dubuque, IA ranks #186 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Dubuque, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Dubuque, IA is $841 a month ($1,077 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Dubuque, IA
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $39,510
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,610
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,680
- Waiter and Waitress — $20,060