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Waiters and Waitresses in Iowa
Want to work as a Waiters and Waitresses in Iowa? Below are the key facts. Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment. Excludes “Fast Food and Counter Workers” (35-3023).
What do Waiters and Waitresses Make in Iowa?
For a waiters and waitresses working in Iowa, the median annual wage is $26,140 per year (or about $12.57/hour).Earnings range from $15,080 at the 10th percentile to $49,380 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| 25th percentile | $18,230 | $8.76 |
| Median (50th) | $26,140 | $12.57 |
| 75th percentile | $38,510 | $18.52 |
| 90th percentile | $49,380 | $23.74 |
The job concentration index in Iowa nationwide is 0.92.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, waiters and waitresses earn a median of $42,006 per year ($20.20/hour), lower than the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 1,737,342 waiters and waitresses nationwide. In Iowa alone, about 21,440 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 27,800 waiters and waitresses.
Top Iowa Metros for Waiters and Waitresses
These are the Iowa metros with the most waiters and waitresses in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 5,840 | $28,840 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 2,700 | $29,120 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,840 | $27,620 |
| Iowa City, IA | 1,700 | $28,520 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 1,190 | $25,470 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 1,000 | $26,640 |
| Ames, IA | 980 | $28,660 |
| Dubuque, IA | 810 | $27,070 |
Top States for Waiters and Waitresses Employment
View the states that employ the most waiters and waitresses work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 243,300 |
| Texas | 210,170 |
| Florida | 208,920 |
| New York | 140,890 |
| Illinois | 84,550 |
| Pennsylvania | 82,920 |
| Ohio | 76,260 |
| North Carolina | 74,110 |
| Georgia | 71,870 |
| Michigan | 64,920 |
| Virginia | 61,260 |
| New Jersey | 56,560 |
| Arizona | 55,010 |
| Tennessee | 53,400 |
| Massachusetts | 50,160 |
| Indiana | 43,880 |
| South Carolina | 43,730 |
| Washington | 43,720 |
| Missouri | 43,360 |
| Colorado | 42,510 |
Highest-Paying States for Waiters and Waitresses
Where waiters and waitresses earn the most: waiters and waitresses.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Vermont | $60,910 |
| Hawaii | $48,570 |
| Washington | $47,490 |
| New York | $46,460 |
| District of Columbia | $45,770 |
| Maine | $44,550 |
| Rhode Island | $42,600 |
| New Hampshire | $39,270 |
| New Jersey | $38,720 |
| Virginia | $36,990 |
Skills
Top waiters and waitresses skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for waiters and waitresses, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, waiters and waitresses typically:
- Collect payments from customers.
- Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
- Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.
- Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
- Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
- Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.
- Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.
- Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
- Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.
- Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Getting Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Facebook
Related Careers
Other careers like waiters and waitresses include:
- Food Service Managers
- Chefs and Head Cooks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
- Cooks, Private Household
Also Known As
Banquet Server, Banquet Waiter, Banquet Waitress, Bar Waiter, Bar Waitress, Buffet Waiter, Buffet Waitress, Busser, Carhop, Club Waiter, Club Waitress, Cocktail Server, Cocktail Waitress, Deck Steward, Dining Car Server.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 35-3031.00
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