Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in Ames, IA
The median food servers, nonrestaurant in Ames, IA earns $31,840 a year, 10% below the US median. After tax that is roughly $2,213 a month.
- 10th percentile
- $27,610
- 25th percentile
- $28,490
- Median percentile
- $31,840
- 75th percentile
- $35,530
- 90th percentile
- $35,750
Based on 180 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.
What you keep
$26,554 take-home a year
| Gross pay | $31,840 |
| Federal income tax | −$1,641 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,436 |
| Iowa income tax (approx.) | −$1,210 |
| Monthly take-home | $2,213 |
| Every two weeks | $1,021 |
Does it go far here?
$35,844Median pay in Ames, IA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 88.8 vs 100).
45%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($1,000 a month, Census ACS).
Top-paying jobs in Ames, IA
All food servers, nonrestaurant salaries · Take-home pay in Iowa