How much does a cook make in Iowa?
$35,670a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in Iowa. That is $17.15 an hour or $2,973 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.15
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among states
- 38 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 12,270
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,690Median: $35,670Highest 10%: $44,460
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,690 | $13.79 | |
| 25th | $30,360 | $14.60 | |
| Median | $35,670 | $17.15 | |
| 75th | $38,180 | $18.36 | |
| 90th | $44,460 | $21.38 |
Cities in Iowa
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Omaha, NE | $37,840 |
| Ames, IA | $36,410 |
| 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 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 35. South Dakota | $36,220 |
| 36. Georgia | $35,940 |
| 37. South Carolina | $35,740 |
| 38. Iowa | $35,670 |
| 39. Ohio | $35,540 |
| 40. North Carolina | $35,400 |
| 41. Indiana | $35,170 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Iowa?
The median hourly pay in Iowa is $17.15 ($35,670 a year).
Do cooks make more in Iowa than the national average?
No: $35,670 against $37,390 nationally, 5% less.
Where does Iowa rank for cook pay?
Iowa ranks 38 of 51 states.
Which city in Iowa pays cooks the most?
Omaha, NE-IA, with a median of $37,840 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.