How much does a chef and head cook make in Iowa City?
$48,760a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Iowa City, IA metro area. That is $23.44 an hour or $4,063 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.44
- Vs. national median
- -22%
- Rank among cities
- 283 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 160
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,710Median: $48,760Highest 10%: $74,160
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,710 | $18.61 | |
| 25th | $44,370 | $21.33 | |
| Median | $48,760 | $23.44 | |
| 75th | $62,640 | $30.12 | |
| 90th | $74,160 | $35.65 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Omaha, NE | $62,240 |
| Ames, IA | $51,360 |
| Des Moines, IA | $51,210 |
| Sioux City, IA | $49,590 |
| Davenport, IA | $48,850 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,690 |
| Waterloo, IA | $44,610 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $44,480 |
Related jobs in Iowa City
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,970 |
| Cook | $36,670 |
| Cook | $35,990 |
| Cook | $35,910 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,120 |
| Dishwasher | $29,530 |
| Food Server | $29,350 |
| Cook | $29,200 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,860 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Iowa City?
The median hourly pay in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $23.44 ($48,760 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Iowa City than the national average?
No: $48,760 against $62,470 nationally, 22% less.
How does Iowa City compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $47,990, so Iowa City pays 2% more.
Where does Iowa City rank for chef and head cook pay?
283 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Iowa City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,710 or less a year; the top 10% make $74,160 or more.
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.