How much does a food preparation worker make in Ames?
$29,900a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $14.38 an hour or $2,492 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.38
- Vs. national median
- -15%
- Rank among cities
- 281 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 140
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $26,580Median: $29,900Highest 10%: $39,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,580 | $12.78 | |
| 25th | $28,500 | $13.70 | |
| Median | $29,900 | $14.38 | |
| 75th | $36,720 | $17.65 | |
| 90th | $39,100 | $18.80 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Omaha, NE | $36,140 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,120 |
| Des Moines, IA | $33,120 |
| Dubuque, IA | $32,520 |
| Waterloo, IA | $32,050 |
| Sioux City, IA | $31,330 |
| Davenport, IA | $31,200 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $30,940 |
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 |
| Cook | $36,070 |
| Food Server | $31,840 |
| Dishwasher | $30,110 |
| 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 food preparation worker make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $14.38 ($29,900 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Ames than the national average?
No: $29,900 against $35,320 nationally, 15% less.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $30,360, so Ames pays 2% less.
Where does Ames rank for food preparation worker pay?
281 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $26,580 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,100 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.