SOC 35-3011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bartenders — Northeast Iowa
Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
At $21,150, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Bartenders, 38.4% beneath the national figure of $34,340.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $21,150, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Bartenders, 38.4% beneath the national figure of $34,340. Pay ranges from under $16,960 at the tenth percentile to more than $31,760 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $18,380 to $22,910.
Employment stands at 630, or 6.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Davenport records the highest median at $31,200. Of the 331 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 330th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,960 | −50.6% |
| 25th | $18,380 | −46.5% |
| Median (50th) | $21,150 | −38.4% |
| 75th | $22,910 | −33.3% |
| 90th | $31,760 | −7.5% |
| Mean | $23,490 | −31.6% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davenport | $31,200 | 1,470 | |
| 2 | Sioux City | $23,750 | 430 | |
| 3 | Des Moines | $22,340 | 2,200 | |
| 4 | Iowa City | $21,900 | 790 | |
| 5 | Dubuque | $21,720 | 460 | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $21,600 | 790 | |
| 7 | Ames | $21,580 | 450 | |
| 8 | Waterloo | $21,540 | 540 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeast Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $21,150 goes as far as $24,089 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 29.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$21,150as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$24,089US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $21,150 a year, 38.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $16,960 to $31,760 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 630 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Davenport, at $31,200.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bartenders in Northeast Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $21,150, or $10.17 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $34,340, so pay in Northeast Iowa, IA is 38.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northeast Iowa, IA earns more than $31,760 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $16,960 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Davenport, at $31,200 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 630 jobs in this occupation in Northeast Iowa, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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