The median annual wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Ames, IA is $28,660 (May 2024 BLS OES). The mean (average) is $31,530.
Pay spans roughly $15,530 at the 10th percentile to $49,380 at the 90th, so experience and specialisation move this figure a lot. At the median that is about $13.78 per hour. An estimated 980 people work as waiters and waitresses in Ames, IA.
| Median (annual) | $28,660 |
| Mean (annual) | $31,530 |
| Median (hourly) | $13.78 |
| 10th percentile | $15,530 |
| 90th percentile | $49,380 |
| Employment | 980 |
Updated 2026-07-23.
Source: BLS OES May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Checked 2026-07-23.