Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Bartender Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, bartenders earned a median annual wage of $21,500 ($10.34/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $16,600/year and the 90th was $39,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $19,150 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$21,500$10.34 per hour · $1,792 monthly
10th Percentile$16,600$7.98/hr base
25th Percentile$18,300$8.80/hr base
75th Percentile$28,200$13.56/hr base
90th Percentile$39,200$18.85/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$21,500
$15,000$45,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$21,500
Net 89%
Fed 3%
IA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$19,150After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,596Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$737Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate10.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$540 / yr
Iowa state income tax$165 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,645 / yr

Bartenders Wage Percentiles in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Bartenders in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$7.98/hr$1,383$16,600$15,280
25th Percentile$8.80/hr$1,525$18,300$16,636
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$10.34/hr$1,792$21,500$19,150
75th Percentile$13.56/hr$2,350$28,200$24,413
90th Percentile$18.85/hr$3,267$39,200$32,839

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$21,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$70,811Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.112.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio30.4%of area median income

Compare bartenders salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Bartenders Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

What is the median salary for bartenders in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for bartenders in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $21,500, which equates to approximately $1,792 per month or $10.34 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for bartenders in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage for bartenders in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $10.34 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $7.98/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.85/hour.

What is the pay range for bartenders in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS wage estimates for bartenders in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $16,600 at the 10th percentile to $18,300 at the 25th, $28,200 at the 75th, and $39,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do bartenders take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On a median gross salary of $21,500, an estimated $19,150 lands in net take-home pay per year ($737 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $2,350 (an effective rate of 10.9%).

How much do bartenders make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On the median annual salary of $21,500, gross monthly income is $1,792. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,596 per month (or $737 every two weeks).

Is $21,500 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $21,500, the median salary for bartenders is 30.4% of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA median household income ($70,811). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.1, making regional consumer goods and services 12.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.