Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in Ames, IA
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $31,840 a year ($15.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,750 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 6% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $30,110. There are 3.2 food servers, nonrestaurant per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food servers, nonrestaurant in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,610 | $13.28 |
| 25th percentile | $28,490 | $13.70 |
| Median | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| 75th percentile | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Average (mean) | $31,890 | $15.33 |
Half of food servers, nonrestaurant 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 | $2,653.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,326.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,224.62 |
| Weekly | $612.31 |
| Hourly | $15.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,840 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $33,790 | 1,060 |
| Dubuque, IA | $32,270 | 230 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $32,150 | 1,690 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,730 | 630 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,290 | 230 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,940 | 470 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,350 | 250 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $28,140 | 390 |
Highest-paying states for food servers, nonrestaurant
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $39,370 |
| California | $39,010 |
| Colorado | $38,900 |
| Washington | $38,870 |
| Alaska | $38,090 |
| District of Columbia | $37,920 |
| Hawaii | $37,920 |
| Maine | $37,680 |
| Vermont | $37,540 |
| North Dakota | $36,910 |
See Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,220 | $14.05 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,710 | $10.92 |
| Bartender | $21,580 | $10.38 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,900 | $14.37 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,630 | $14.25 |
| Dishwasher | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $51,360 | $24.69 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,070 | $17.34 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3041. 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 food servers, nonrestaurant make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for food servers, nonrestaurant in the Ames, IA metro area is $31,840 a year, or $15.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food servers, nonrestaurant make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of food servers, nonrestaurant in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $35,750 a year. The top 25% earn $35,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for food servers, nonrestaurant in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,610 a year, and a quarter of food servers, nonrestaurant earn $28,490 or less.
How many food servers, nonrestaurant work in Ames, IA?
About 180 food servers, nonrestaurant are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.