Waiter and Waitress Salary in Dubuque, IA
Waiters and Waitresses in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median $20,060 a year — 43% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $18,019 take-home, or $1,502 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Dubuque, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$396
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,244
- Medicare (1.45%)$291
- Iowa income tax$110
- Take-home pay$18,019
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.80% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Dubuque, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 | $13,926 | $1,161 |
| 25th percentile | $15,080 | $7.25 | $13,926 | $1,161 |
| Median (50th) | $20,060 | $9.64 | $18,019 | $1,502 |
| 75th percentile | $34,990 | $16.82 | $29,617 | $2,468 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,300 | $22.74 | $39,040 | $3,253 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $20,060 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 waiter and waitress's $18,019 take-home pay has the buying power of $20,634 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Waiter and Waitress jobs are about as common in Dubuque, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.95).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Dubuque, IA ranks #338 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 |
| 338 | Dubuque, IA | $20,060 | $18,019 | $20,634 |
*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
- Ames, IA — $22,710
- Waterloo, IA — $21,490
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $21,670
- Iowa City, IA — $22,030
- Des Moines, IA — $20,410
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Dubuque, IA?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $20,060 a year, or about $9.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $15,080 and $34,990.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Dubuque, IA?
On the median $20,060 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $18,019 a year ($1,502 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $110 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Dubuque, IA a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 43% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 12.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $20,634 would in a typical U.S. city. Dubuque, IA ranks #338 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress 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) — 56% of a median waiter and waitress’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
- Bartender — $21,720