Wait Staff Jobs in Iowa

Wait Staff, also known as servers, are integral to the Hospitality Service industry as they are primarily responsible for serving food and beverages to customers, taking orders, and providing excellent customer service in restaurants, cafes, and other food-service establishments. Their tasks include handling cash transactions, cleaning tables, answering customer inquiries about the menu, and ensuring that the food service area is clean and well-stocked. They are the face of the establishment, as they directly interact with customers, making them crucial in maintaining the restaurant's reputation and overall guest experience.

Essential skills for Wait Staff include strong communication, ability to work under pressure, customer service skills, physical stamina, and multitasking. They must also have a good memory to remember orders and the layout of the tables. No specific certifications are generally needed, but having a Food Handler's Card or ServSafe certification can be beneficial, while some upscale restaurants might require formal training or a degree in hospitality or a related field. Before becoming a Wait Staffer, a person may have roles such as Host or Hostess, Busser, or Food Runner. These positions allow individuals to gain experience in the food service environment and customer service, preparing them for a server position.

1-15 of 249 Jobs

Restaurant Team Member Part Time

  • Love's Travel Stops
  • Davenport, IA
  • 11 days ago
  • Davenport, IA
  • 11 days ago

Benefits: * Fuel Your Growth with Love's - company funded tuition assistance program * Paid Time Off * Flexible Scheduling * 401(k) 100% match up to 5% * Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance after 30...

In Person Part Time

Starbucks Barista

  • Starbucks
  • Pella, IA
  • 5 days ago
  • Pella, IA
  • 5 days ago

Crafting the worlds finest coffee, one meaningful moment at a time We believe in creating a warm and welcoming space where every cup of coffee sparks connection. Every shift is a chance to...

In Person

Barista

  • Starbucks
  • Indianola, IA
  • 13 days ago
  • Indianola, IA
  • 13 days ago

Crafting the worlds finest coffee, one meaningful moment at a time We believe in creating a warm and welcoming space where every cup of coffee sparks connection. Every shift is a chance to...

In Person

barista - Store# 09602, LAKEPORT & HWY 20

  • Starbucks
  • Sioux City, IA
  • 2 days ago
  • Sioux City, IA
  • 2 days ago

Crafting the worlds finest coffee, one meaningful moment at a time We believe in creating a warm and welcoming space where every cup of coffee sparks connection. Every shift is a chance to...

In Person

barista - Store# 21750, ALTOONA

  • Starbucks
  • Altoona, IA
  • 9 days ago
  • Altoona, IA
  • 9 days ago

Crafting the worlds finest coffee, one meaningful moment at a time We believe in creating a warm and welcoming space where every cup of coffee sparks connection. Every shift is a chance to...

In Person

Team Member

  • DRM Arbys
  • Evansdale, IA
  • moments ago
  • Evansdale, IA
  • moments ago

Minors 14 - 15 age $9 - $10 per hour Minors 16 -17 age $10 - $11 per hour 18 and Older $11 - $12 per hour Pay rates may differ for Minors Employer: DRM Inc. Why should you join the DReaM Team? To...

In Person

Server

  • Buffalo Wild Wings
  • Fort Dodge, IA
  • 1 hour ago
  • Fort Dodge, IA
  • 1 hour ago

You know what it takes to fuel moments worth sharing and have exceptional time management, attention to detail, and guest service skills. Not sure if your experience aligns?...

In Person

Cashier

  • Buffalo Wild Wings
  • Fort Dodge, IA
  • 1 hour ago
  • Fort Dodge, IA
  • 1 hour ago

You know what it takes to fuel moments worth sharing and have exceptional time management, attention to detail, and guest service skills. Not sure if your experience aligns?...

In Person

Culinary Server

  • Arvum Senior Living
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 6 hours ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 6 hours ago

About Arvum Senior Living Arvum Senior Living proudly manages Assisted Living and Memory Care communities across 8 different states, representing over 2,000 units throughout the Gulf Coast and...

In Person

barista - Store# 85015, NORTH JEFFERSON HWY & VALLEY PLACE

  • Indianola, IA
  • 12 hours ago
  • Indianola, IA
  • 12 hours ago

Apply Now Crafting the worlds finest coffee, one meaningful moment a time We believe in creing a warm and welcoming space where every cup of coffee sparks connection. Every shift is a chance to...

In Person

barista - Store# 81580, WASHINGTON & 218TH

  • Pella, IA
  • 12 hours ago
  • Pella, IA
  • 12 hours ago

Apply Now Crafting the worlds finest coffee, one meaningful moment a time We believe in creing a warm and welcoming space where every cup of coffee sparks connection. Every shift is a chance to...

In Person

barista - Store# 82322, GRAND PRAIRIE AND ASHWORTH

  • Waukee, IA
  • 12 hours ago
  • Waukee, IA
  • 12 hours ago

Apply Now Crafting the worlds finest coffee, one meaningful moment a time We believe in creing a warm and welcoming space where every cup of coffee sparks connection. Every shift is a chance to...

In Person

Barista

  • UnityPoint Health
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 13 hours ago
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 13 hours ago

Overview Prepare, provide and serve attractive and quality food with a friendly, safe and courteous manner to all customers in accordance with all department policies & procedures. Performs...

In Person

Food Server - Part Time PM Shift - Hilton Des Moines

  • Hilton Worldwide
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 1 day ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 1 day ago

JobID: 207940 Category: Food and Beverage JobSchedule: Part time Posted Date: 2026-06-01T13:24:02+00:00 JobShift: Salary: $12.00/USD/Hourly Exceptional Hospitality Starts with You Picture yourself...

In Person Part Time

Food Server - Full Time AM Shift- Hilton Des Moines Downtown

  • Hilton Worldwide
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 1 day ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 1 day ago

JobID: 207931 Category: Food and Beverage JobSchedule: Full time Posted Date: 2026-06-01T13:22:42+00:00 JobShift: Salary: $12.00/USD/Hourly Exceptional Hospitality Starts with You Picture yourself...

In Person Full Time

Demographic Data for Iowa

Moving to Iowa? Find some basic demographic data about Iowa below.


Local
National
3,191,035
82,356

Wait Staff Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireHospitalityServices curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Guardians - "The Waiting Game"
Balancing family, duty, and danger, the team discovers a poacher's snare and stages an ambush at the scene of the crime. However, the mission is perilousand the stakes are high. Curiosity Stream...
Prison Health: Vaccinations for People Working and Living in Prisons (Vaccine Trained Staff)
This two-week course will help you gain an understanding of why vaccines can help protect the health of those living or working in prisons and those around them. Whats more, youll develop the...
Modern Explorers - "Paradise Waiting"
Jokke Espen and Niccolo have emotional reunions with family members: first in the Alps, and later on the island of Sardiniawhere Niccolo was raised. Curiosity Stream is a leading streaming...

Salary for Wait Staff Jobs in Iowa

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireHospitalityServices research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Wait Staff positions.



Highest Education Level

Wait Staffs in Iowa offer the following education background
High School or GED
40.3%
Bachelor's Degree
21.7%
Associate's Degree
13.3%
Vocational Degree or Certification
12.7%
Master's Degree
4.2%
Some College
3.8%
Some High School
3.0%
Doctorate Degree
1.0%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Wait Staffs in Iowa
Less than 1 year
34.0%
None
24.3%
1-2 years
24.0%
2-4 years
17.8%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



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