How much does a food preparation worker make in Cedar Rapids?
$30,940a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area. That is $14.88 an hour or $2,578 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.88
- Vs. national median
- -12%
- Rank among cities
- 244 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 340
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,580Median: $30,940Highest 10%: $39,120
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,580 | $11.82 | |
| 25th | $27,860 | $13.39 | |
| Median | $30,940 | $14.88 | |
| 75th | $34,660 | $16.66 | |
| 90th | $39,120 | $18.81 |
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 |
| Ames, IA | $29,900 |
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $44,480 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,610 |
| Cook | $36,410 |
| Cook | $35,720 |
| Cook | $32,940 |
| Food Server | $29,940 |
| Dishwasher | $29,310 |
| Cook | $29,040 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,020 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Cedar Rapids?
The median hourly pay in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $14.88 ($30,940 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Cedar Rapids than the national average?
No: $30,940 against $35,320 nationally, 12% less.
How does Cedar Rapids compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $30,360, so Cedar Rapids pays 2% more.
Where does Cedar Rapids rank for food preparation worker pay?
244 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Cedar Rapids?
The lowest-paid 10% make $24,580 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,120 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.