Bartenders Pay Range in Iowa
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$16,730
- 25th Percentile — Junior$18,460
- 50th Percentile — Median$21,720
- 75th Percentile — Senior$28,400
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$39,520
Half of Bartenders in Iowa earn more than $21,720. The top 10% make $39,520 or more, while entry-level workers start around $16,730.
Bartenders in Iowa: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Iowa ranks 50th of 51 states for Bartenders pay, at $25,620 per year (37.2% below the U.S. average of $40,790).
- 9,560 people work as Bartenders in Iowa — 1.3% of all U.S. Bartenders jobs.
- Location quotient 1.26: Bartenders jobs are more concentrated in Iowa than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $16,730; the top 10% earn over $39,520.
- Hourly equivalent: $12.32 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $76,740.
- Among hospitality jobs in Iowa, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($52,840).
Bartenders Job Market in Iowa
Key factors affecting compensation
Iowa's key industries are Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance, and its job market is rated moderate. Bartenders here earn $25,620 on average, placing the state 50th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.86 (U.S. = 1.00), a Iowa salary of $25,620 is roughly equivalent to $29,791 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Carolina ($28,440), Indiana ($27,780), Montana ($27,210) are the closest alternatives for Bartenders weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Iowa
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $52,840/yr Iowa +106.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,360/yr Iowa +65.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,700/yr Iowa +39.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $35,260/yr Iowa +37.6% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,940/yr Iowa +13.0% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $27,600/yr Iowa +7.7% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $26,940/yr Iowa +5.2% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $26,810/yr Iowa +4.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Bartenders salary in Iowa?
The average Bartenders salary in Iowa is $25,620 per year (median $21,720), which is 37.2% below the national average of $40,790.
How does Iowa rank for Bartenders pay?
Iowa ranks 50th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($76,740/yr).
How much do entry-level Bartenders make in Iowa?
The lowest-paid 10% of Bartenders in Iowa earn about $16,730 per year and the 25th percentile is $18,460.
How much do Bartenders make per hour in Iowa?
About $12.32 per hour, based on the $25,620 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Bartenders work in Iowa?
BLS counts 9,560 Bartenders jobs in Iowa (OEWS May 2025).
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