SOC 35-3041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — Northwest Iowa
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Northwest Iowa, IA is $29,410 per year, 16.8% below the national median of $35,360.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Northwest Iowa, IA is $29,410 per year, 16.8% below the national median of $35,360. Half of workers earn between $28,360 and $30,710. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $23,420 and the ninetieth at $34,380.
The area has 500 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Des Moines records the highest median at $33,790. Of the 368 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 355th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,420 | −33.8% |
| 25th | $28,360 | −19.8% |
| Median (50th) | $29,410 | −16.8% |
| 75th | $30,710 | −13.2% |
| 90th | $34,380 | −2.8% |
| Mean | $29,590 | −16.3% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $33,790 | 1,060 | |
| 2 | Dubuque | $32,270 | 230 | |
| 3 | Ames | $31,840 | 180 | |
| 4 | Davenport | $31,730 | 630 | |
| 5 | Sioux City | $31,290 | 230 | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $29,940 | 470 | |
| 7 | Iowa City | $29,350 | 250 | |
| 8 | Waterloo | $28,140 | 390 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $29,410 goes as far as $33,497 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,497US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,410 a year, 16.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,420 to $34,380 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 500 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Des Moines, at $33,790.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Northwest Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $29,410, or $14.14 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 $35,360, so pay in Northwest Iowa, IA is 16.8% 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 Northwest Iowa, IA earns more than $34,380 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,420 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 Des Moines, at $33,790 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 500 jobs in this occupation in Northwest 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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