Waiters and Waitresses salary in Des Moines, IA
The median waiters and waitresses in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA earns $20,410 a year, 42% below the US median. After tax that is roughly $1,470 a month.
- 10th percentile
- $15,080
- 25th percentile
- $15,080
- Median percentile
- $20,410
- 75th percentile
- $36,240
- 90th percentile
- $48,760
Based on 6,250 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
$17,642 take-home a year
| Gross pay | $20,410 |
| Federal income tax | −$431 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$1,561 |
| Iowa income tax (approx.) | −$776 |
| Monthly take-home | $1,470 |
| Every two weeks | $679 |
Does it go far here?
$22,257Median pay in Des Moines, IA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 91.7 vs 100).
78%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($1,150 a month, Census ACS).
Top-paying jobs in Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Chief Executives | $290,870 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $164,840 |
| Financial Managers | $154,140 |
| Pharmacists | $141,110 |
| Managers, All Other | $139,110 |
| Human Resources Managers | $138,140 |
| Sales Managers | $136,570 |
| Marketing Managers | $135,140 |