How much does a cook make in Iowa City?
$29,200a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Iowa City, IA metro area. That is $14.04 an hour or $2,433 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.04
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 150 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 440
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $15,700Median: $29,200Highest 10%: $39,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,700 | $7.55 | |
| 25th | $17,640 | $8.48 | |
| Median | $29,200 | $14.04 | |
| 75th | $34,570 | $16.62 | |
| 90th | $39,700 | $19.09 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Omaha, NE | $31,220 |
| Davenport, IA | $30,460 |
| Des Moines, IA | $30,360 |
| Dubuque, IA | $29,500 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,040 |
| Sioux City, IA | $28,390 |
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 | $35,990 |
| Cook | $35,910 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,120 |
| Dishwasher | $29,530 |
| Food Server | $29,350 |
| 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 $14.04 ($29,200 a year).
Do cooks make more in Iowa City than the national average?
No: $29,200 against $30,890 nationally, 5% less.
How does Iowa City compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $28,510, so Iowa City pays 2% more.
Where does Iowa City rank for cook pay?
150 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Iowa City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $15,700 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,700 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.