How much does a chef and head cook make in Iowa?
$47,990a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in Iowa. That is $23.07 an hour or $3,999 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.07
- Vs. national median
- -23%
- Rank among states
- 49 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 1,640
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,770Median: $47,990Highest 10%: $74,730
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,770 | $17.68 | |
| 25th | $42,620 | $20.49 | |
| Median | $47,990 | $23.07 | |
| 75th | $59,380 | $28.55 | |
| 90th | $74,730 | $35.93 |
Cities in Iowa
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Omaha, NE | $62,240 |
| Ames, IA | $51,360 |
| Des Moines, IA | $51,210 |
| Sioux City, IA | $49,590 |
| Davenport, IA | $48,850 |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,760 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,690 |
| Waterloo, IA | $44,610 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $44,480 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for chef and head cooks.
| 46. Idaho | $52,000 |
| 47. South Dakota | $48,470 |
| 48. Kentucky | $48,070 |
| 49. Iowa | $47,990 |
| 50. Arkansas | $46,170 |
| 51. Louisiana | $45,570 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Iowa?
The median hourly pay in Iowa is $23.07 ($47,990 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Iowa than the national average?
No: $47,990 against $62,470 nationally, 23% less.
Where does Iowa rank for chef and head cook pay?
Iowa ranks 49 of 51 states.
Which city in Iowa pays chef and head cooks the most?
Omaha, NE-IA, with a median of $62,240 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.