Waiters and Waitresses salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
Waiters and Waitresses in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn a median of $26,430 a year ($12.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,790 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 26% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $21,000. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| 25th percentile | $15,560 | $7.48 |
| Median | $26,430 | $12.71 |
| 75th percentile | $36,530 | $17.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| Average (mean) | $29,280 | $14.08 |
Half of waiters and waitresses 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 | $2,202.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,101.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,016.54 |
| Weekly | $508.27 |
| Hourly | $12.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $26,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $36,080 | 2,520 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $34,290 | 7,620 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 2,680 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $29,920 | 2,550 |
| Grand Island, NE | $29,840 | 570 |
| Rapid City, SD | $29,020 | 1,430 |
| Ames, IA | $22,710 | 1,010 |
| Iowa City, IA | $22,030 | 1,890 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $21,670 | 1,920 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $21,490 | 1,280 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $20,410 | 6,250 |
| Dubuque, IA | $20,060 | 810 |
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 |
| Vermont | $59,140 |
| Washington | $56,130 |
| Oregon | $48,410 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 |
| Colorado | $44,860 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Arizona | $43,950 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,090 | $13.99 |
| Bartender | $23,750 | $11.42 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,290 | $15.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,330 | $15.06 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,760 | $14.31 |
| Dishwasher | $29,230 | $14.05 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $33,880 | $16.29 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,590 | $23.84 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3031. 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 waiters and waitresses make in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area is $26,430 a year, or $12.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn at least $49,790 a year. The top 25% earn $36,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,080 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $15,560 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
About 1,030 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.