Restaurants Where Waitresses Make the Most Money at in Des Moines, IA: Key Takeaways
- The average base wage for Waitresses working in Des Moines is about $21 per hour, with some establishments paying up to $25 per hour.
- Waitresses often earn significant tips on top of base wages, generally ranging from $5 to $15 per hour in Des Moines depending on restaurant type and shift.
- Flix Brewhouse and The Royal Mile stand out as top-paying restaurants for waitresses in this city.
Waitress salaries in Des Moines can vary widely based on restaurant prestige, location, and hours worked, with tips playing an important role in total income.
This article provides a detailed breakdown of the best-paying restaurants in Des Moines for waitresses, including base pay, tips, and useful job search tips.
Top-Paying Restaurants for Waitresses in Des Moines
Des Moines offers a range of dining venues where waitresses can earn attractive wages, often augmented by generous tips depending on the establishment.
From casual family spots to upscale local favorites, here are some of the top restaurants paying well for waitress positions:
Eatery A
Eatery A is known for its cozy atmosphere and quality American cuisine, providing waitresses competitive hourly pay at around $21 per hour plus tips.
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery
Perkins is a well-established chain offering classic comfort food and bakery items, making it a popular workplace with an average waitress pay of about $18 per hour.
Village Inn Restaurants
Village Inn brings a family-friendly experience with a focus on breakfast and pies. Waitresses here earn approximately $17 per hour plus tips.
Flix Brewhouse
Flix Brewhouse is a unique movie theater-brewery-restaurant hybrid offering waitresses top hourly wages near $25, in addition to potential strong tips from its upscale bar and dining services.
Employers interested in how to attract and retain the best wait staff might find our tips to hire servers and waiters particularly useful for recruiting skilled waitresses.
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is an upscale Scottish pub experience in Des Moines where waitresses can command about $25 per hour base pay, with high tipping potential due to the premium clientele.
The Impact of Restaurant Type on Waitress Earnings in Des Moines
The variety of restaurant types in Des Moines significantly impacts waitress earnings through factors like base pay, tip income, and work environment.
Upscale establishments and venues with cocktail bars, like The Royal Mile and Flix Brewhouse, tend to pay higher hourly rates and yield larger tips, sometimes exceeding $15 per hour during busy shifts.
Conversely, casual diners and family-oriented restaurants such as Perkins or Village Inn generally offer lower base wages and more modest tips, commonly adding $5 to $8 on top.
- Location matters: Restaurants in downtown or high-traffic areas often have higher pay.
- Shift times: Evening and weekend shifts can bring in more tips.
- Experience and certifications: Waitresses with alcohol service permits may access higher-paying roles.
Further insights on waitress salary ranges and how to negotiate them can be found in our guide to discussing salary during interviews.
How To Find a High Paying Waitress Job in Des Moines
- Craft a strong resume and cover letter that highlight your customer service skills and prior experience.
- Practice common interview questions and emphasize your ability to multitask and handle high-pressure situations.
- Network within the hospitality industry by attending local job fairs and connecting with restaurant managers.
- Consider obtaining certifications such as a food handler’s or alcohol service permit to qualify for more lucrative roles.
Employers can benefit from using our free job posting guide to attract more qualified waitress candidates efficiently.
What’s the Outlook for Waitress Jobs in Des Moines in 2025 and Beyond?
The demand for waitresses in Des Moines is expected to remain stable or grow modestly due to the city's expanding food service sector.
Economic growth and the popularity of dining out bode well for sustained employment opportunities in waitress positions.
The increasing interest in craft breweries and unique dining experiences like Flix Brewhouse suggests potential for higher-paying opportunities in specialized venues.
Is a Waitress’s Salary Enough to Live Well in Des Moines?
A full-time waitress in Des Moines earning an average wage of $21 per hour plus tips could make an estimated annual income between $37,000 and $45,000.
Typical living expenses in Des Moines are relatively affordable compared to larger cities:
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $950 per month
- Monthly utilities and internet: $150
- Groceries and dining out: $300–$450 monthly
- Transportation: $100–$150 per month
This income level can support a comfortable lifestyle for an individual, especially when budgeting carefully and considering shared housing options.
For waitresses seeking career advancement, exploring paths such as bar management or event coordination can offer growth; employers can learn about event coordinator roles and hiring to support internal career development.
Our Criteria for Choosing Top-Paying Des Moines Waitress Jobs
We selected these restaurants based on their reputation for competitive pay and tip potential. The venues offer solid earning opportunities and positive work environments.
- Location: Focus on areas with high customer volume and financial resources.
- Worker benefits: Preference given to establishments providing flexible scheduling and employee support.
- Job stability: Restaurants with consistent customer bases and proven track records of employee retention.
These factors combine to identify workplaces where waitresses can maximize both income and career growth.
Employers interested in improving staff retention might find our strategies to reduce employee turnover very valuable.
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