Bartender Salary in Waterloo, IA
Bartenders in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median $21,540 a year — 37% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $19,181 take-home, or $1,598 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Waterloo, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$544
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,335
- Medicare (1.45%)$312
- Iowa income tax$167
- Take-home pay$19,181
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.80% state
Bartender pay by experience in Waterloo, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,390 | $7.88 | $15,107 | $1,259 |
| 25th percentile | $17,990 | $8.65 | $16,393 | $1,366 |
| Median (50th) | $21,540 | $10.36 | $19,181 | $1,598 |
| 75th percentile | $27,040 | $13.00 | $23,502 | $1,958 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,130 | $18.33 | $32,020 | $2,668 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $21,540 buys in Waterloo, IA
Prices in Waterloo, IA are 12.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 37% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $19,181 take-home pay has the buying power of $22,033 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Waterloo, IA has 1.3× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Waterloo, IA ranks #190 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 |
| 190 | Waterloo, IA | $21,540 | $19,181 | $22,033 |
*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
- 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 Waterloo, IA?
The median bartender salary in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $21,540 a year, or about $10.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $17,990 and $27,040.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Waterloo, IA?
On the median $21,540 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $19,181 a year ($1,598 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $167 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Waterloo, IA a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 37% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 12.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $22,033 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterloo, IA ranks #190 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Waterloo, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Waterloo, IA is $793 a month ($1,040 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Waterloo, IA
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,180
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $35,680
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,420
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,820
- Waiter and Waitress — $21,490