How much does a chef and head cook make in Waterloo?
$44,610a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area. That is $21.45 an hour or $3,718 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.45
- Vs. national median
- -29%
- Rank among cities
- 317 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,430Median: $44,610Highest 10%: $69,220
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,430 | $16.55 | |
| 25th | $41,280 | $19.85 | |
| Median | $44,610 | $21.45 | |
| 75th | $60,070 | $28.88 | |
| 90th | $69,220 | $33.28 |
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 |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,760 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,690 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $44,480 |
Related jobs in Waterloo
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,180 |
| Cook | $35,680 |
| Cook | $35,420 |
| Cook | $33,520 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,050 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,930 |
| Dishwasher | $28,890 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,190 |
| Food Server | $28,140 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,820 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Waterloo?
The median hourly pay in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $21.45 ($44,610 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Waterloo than the national average?
No: $44,610 against $62,470 nationally, 29% less.
How does Waterloo compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $47,990, so Waterloo pays 7% less.
Where does Waterloo rank for chef and head cook pay?
317 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Waterloo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,430 or less a year; the top 10% make $69,220 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.