How much does a cook make in Ames?
$36,410a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $17.50 an hour or $3,034 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.50
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 172 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 570
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,380Median: $36,410Highest 10%: $48,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,380 | $14.13 | |
| 25th | $31,210 | $15.00 | |
| Median | $36,410 | $17.50 | |
| 75th | $42,630 | $20.50 | |
| 90th | $48,200 | $23.17 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Omaha, NE | $37,840 |
| Sioux City, IA | $36,270 |
| Des Moines, IA | $36,070 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,910 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $35,720 |
| Dubuque, IA | $35,610 |
| Davenport, IA | $35,480 |
| Waterloo, IA | $35,420 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $51,360 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,710 |
| Cook | $36,540 |
| Cook | $36,070 |
| Food Server | $31,840 |
| Dishwasher | $30,110 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,900 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,630 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,220 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,480 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $17.50 ($36,410 a year).
Do cooks make more in Ames than the national average?
No: $36,410 against $37,390 nationally, 3% less.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $35,670, so Ames pays 2% more.
Where does Ames rank for cook pay?
172 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,380 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,200 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.