How much does a cook make in Iowa?
$35,810a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in Iowa. That is $17.22 an hour or $2,984 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.22
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among states
- 37 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 8,860
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,030Median: $35,810Highest 10%: $44,150
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,030 | $13.48 | |
| 25th | $30,970 | $14.89 | |
| Median | $35,810 | $17.22 | |
| 75th | $37,920 | $18.23 | |
| 90th | $44,150 | $21.23 |
Cities in Iowa
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Dubuque, IA | $36,890 |
| Omaha, NE | $36,750 |
| Iowa City, IA | $36,670 |
| Ames, IA | $36,540 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,410 |
| Des Moines, IA | $36,320 |
| Sioux City, IA | $36,030 |
| Davenport, IA | $35,740 |
| Waterloo, IA | $35,680 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 34. Florida | $36,250 |
| 35. North Carolina | $36,140 |
| 36. Indiana | $35,980 |
| 37. Iowa | $35,810 |
| 38. Idaho | $35,600 |
| 39. Tennessee | $35,570 |
| 40. Texas | $35,360 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Iowa?
The median hourly pay in Iowa is $17.22 ($35,810 a year).
Do cooks make more in Iowa than the national average?
No: $35,810 against $37,450 nationally, 4% less.
Where does Iowa rank for cook pay?
Iowa ranks 37 of 51 states.
Which city in Iowa pays cooks the most?
Dubuque, IA, with a median of $36,890 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.