Bartender salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Bartenders in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $22,340 a year ($10.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $17,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,880 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $21,720. There are 5.5 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,250 | $8.29 |
| 25th percentile | $18,770 | $9.03 |
| Median | $22,340 | $10.74 |
| 75th percentile | $31,830 | $15.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Average (mean) | $27,620 | $13.28 |
Half of bartenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $1,861.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $930.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $859.23 |
| Weekly | $429.62 |
| Hourly | $10.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $34,630 | 3,790 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 1,470 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $23,750 | 430 |
| Iowa City, IA | $21,900 | 790 |
| Dubuque, IA | $21,720 | 460 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $21,600 | 790 |
| Ames, IA | $21,580 | 450 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $21,540 | 540 |
Highest-paying states for bartenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 |
| New York | $61,210 |
| Washington | $55,830 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 |
| Maine | $48,920 |
| Virginia | $47,070 |
| Vermont | $45,450 |
| Arizona | $45,070 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 |
| Oregon | $38,900 |
See Bartender pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $20,410 | $9.81 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,650 | $20.50 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Dishwasher | $30,450 | $14.64 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,270 | $13.59 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $34,290 | $16.49 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for bartenders in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $22,340 a year, or $10.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $45,880 a year. The top 25% earn $31,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,250 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $18,770 or less.
How many bartenders work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 2,200 bartenders are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.