How much does a cook make in Iowa City?
$36,670a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Iowa City, IA metro area. That is $17.63 an hour or $3,056 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.63
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 199 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 510
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $26,390Median: $36,670Highest 10%: $44,760
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,390 | $12.69 | |
| 25th | $30,320 | $14.58 | |
| Median | $36,670 | $17.63 | |
| 75th | $37,910 | $18.23 | |
| 90th | $44,760 | $21.52 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Dubuque, IA | $36,890 |
| Omaha, NE | $36,750 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa City
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $48,760 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,970 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Iowa City?
The median hourly pay in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $17.63 ($36,670 a year).
Do cooks make more in Iowa City than the national average?
No: $36,670 against $37,450 nationally, 2% less.
How does Iowa City compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $35,810, so Iowa City pays 2% more.
Where does Iowa City rank for cook pay?
199 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Iowa City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $26,390 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,760 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.