Waiter and Waitress Salary in Waterloo, IA
Waiters and Waitresses in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median $21,490 a year — 39% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $19,142 take-home, or $1,595 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Waterloo, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$539
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,332
- Medicare (1.45%)$312
- Iowa income tax$165
- Take-home pay$19,142
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.80% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Waterloo, 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) | $21,490 | $10.33 | $19,142 | $1,595 |
| 75th percentile | $34,230 | $16.46 | $29,035 | $2,420 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,840 | $23.48 | $40,219 | $3,352 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $21,490 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 waiter and waitress's $19,142 take-home pay has the buying power of $21,988 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 Waterloo, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.04).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Waterloo, IA ranks #321 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 |
| 321 | Waterloo, IA | $21,490 | $19,142 | $21,988 |
*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
- 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 Waterloo, IA?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $21,490 a year, or about $10.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $15,080 and $34,230.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Waterloo, IA?
On the median $21,490 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $19,142 a year ($1,595 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $165 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Waterloo, IA a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 39% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 12.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $21,988 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterloo, IA ranks #321 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress 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 waiter and waitress’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
- Bartender — $21,540