Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Waiters and Waitresses salary grow from entry-level to senior in Iowa? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
218% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • Iowa salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Waiters and Waitresses in Iowa spans from $15,080 at entry-level to $47,980 at senior level — a difference of $32,900 per year.
Senior Waiters and Waitressess in Iowa earn $32,900 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Waiters and Waitresses salary increases with experience in Iowa, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $15,080 | $1,257 | $7.25 |
| Early Career | P25 | $15,080 | $1,257 | $7.25 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10.10 |
| Experienced | P75 | $35,370 | $2,948 | $17.00 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $47,980 | $3,998 | $23.07 |
Waiters and Waitresses in Iowa offers exceptional career salary growth. Professionals who advance from entry-level to senior can expect their salary to more than triple — from $15,080 to $47,980. This 218% growth potential makes it one of the highest-growth occupations in terms of pay progression in the state. Investing in skills development and certifications can accelerate this trajectory.
Where does Iowa rank for Waiters and Waitresses senior-level salaries? Compare Iowa's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Waiters and Waitressess (10th percentile) earn approximately $15,080 per year, or $1,256 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $15,080. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Waiters and Waitressess (90th percentile) earn approximately $47,980 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $35,370. This represents a career premium of 218% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Waiters and Waitressess is 218%. Entry-level professionals start at $15,080, while senior-level can earn up to $47,980 — a difference of $32,900 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Waiters and Waitressess is Iowa, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $47,980 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
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Salary percentile data for Iowa from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Iowa.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS