How much does a cook make in Ames?
$36,070a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $17.34 an hour or $3,006 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.34
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among cities
- 71 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,710Median: $36,070Highest 10%: $46,710
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,710 | $13.80 | |
| 25th | $29,950 | $14.40 | |
| Median | $36,070 | $17.34 | |
| 75th | $37,450 | $18.00 | |
| 90th | $46,710 | $22.46 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Dubuque, IA | $36,990 |
| Des Moines, IA | $36,760 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,990 |
| Sioux City, IA | $33,880 |
| Waterloo, IA | $33,520 |
| Davenport, IA | $33,280 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $32,940 |
| Omaha, NE | $32,710 |
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 | $36,410 |
| 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 $17.34 ($36,070 a year).
Do cooks make more in Ames than the national average?
Yes: $36,070 against $35,880 nationally, 1% more.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $34,090, so Ames pays 6% more.
Where does Ames rank for cook pay?
71 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,710 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,710 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.