Waiter and Waitress Salary in Ames, IA
Waiters and Waitresses in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median $22,710 a year — 36% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $20,101 take-home, or $1,675 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Ames, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$661
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,408
- Medicare (1.45%)$329
- Iowa income tax$211
- Take-home pay$20,101
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.80% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Ames, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 | $13,926 | $1,161 |
| 25th percentile | $15,560 | $7.48 | $14,370 | $1,197 |
| Median (50th) | $22,710 | $10.92 | $20,101 | $1,675 |
| 75th percentile | $38,580 | $18.55 | $32,365 | $2,697 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,610 | $24.33 | $41,574 | $3,464 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $22,710 buys in Ames, IA
Prices in Ames, IA are 11.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 31% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $20,101 take-home pay has the buying power of $22,628 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Ames, IA has 1.2× the national concentration of waiter and waitress jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Ames, IA ranks #302 of 375 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $82,550 | $62,160 | $56,823 |
| 2 | Burlington, VT | $61,620 | $50,061 | $49,591 |
| 3 | Bellingham, WA | $56,700 | $47,738 | $46,198 |
| 4 | Bremerton, WA | $55,270 | $46,589 | $44,116 |
| 5 | Mount Vernon, WA | $53,060 | $44,814 | $43,745 |
| 6 | Yakima, WA | $49,060 | $41,600 | $43,539 |
| 7 | Kennewick, WA | $51,460 | $43,528 | $43,494 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $57,280 | $48,204 | $43,375 |
| 302 | Ames, IA | $22,710 | $20,101 | $22,628 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 375 metros →
Waiter and Waitress salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Davenport, IA — $31,200
- Sioux City, IA — $26,430
- Waterloo, IA — $21,490
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $21,670
- Iowa City, IA — $22,030
- Dubuque, IA — $20,060
- Des Moines, IA — $20,410
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Ames, IA?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Ames, IA metro area is $22,710 a year, or about $10.92 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $15,560 and $38,580.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Ames, IA?
On the median $22,710 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $20,101 a year ($1,675 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $211 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Ames, IA a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 36% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 11.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $22,628 would in a typical U.S. city. Ames, IA ranks #302 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Ames, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Ames, IA is $975 a month ($1,126 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $39,710
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,410
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,220
- Bartender — $21,580