How much does a cook make in Iowa City?
$35,990a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Iowa City, IA metro area. That is $17.30 an hour or $2,999 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.30
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 73 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $25,990Median: $35,990Highest 10%: $41,560
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,990 | $12.50 | |
| 25th | $31,090 | $14.95 | |
| Median | $35,990 | $17.30 | |
| 75th | $38,110 | $18.32 | |
| 90th | $41,560 | $19.98 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Dubuque, IA | $36,990 |
| Des Moines, IA | $36,760 |
| Ames, IA | $36,070 |
| 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 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 | $36,670 |
| 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 $17.30 ($35,990 a year).
Do cooks make more in Iowa City than the national average?
Yes: $35,990 against $35,880 nationally, 0% more.
How does Iowa City compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $34,090, so Iowa City pays 6% more.
Where does Iowa City rank for cook pay?
73 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Iowa City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $25,990 or less a year; the top 10% make $41,560 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.