How much does a food preparation worker make in Des Moines?
$33,120a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $15.92 an hour or $2,760 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.92
- Vs. national median
- -6%
- Rank among cities
- 188 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 770
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,640Median: $33,120Highest 10%: $46,230
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,640 | $13.29 | |
| 25th | $29,520 | $14.19 | |
| Median | $33,120 | $15.92 | |
| 75th | $38,140 | $18.34 | |
| 90th | $46,230 | $22.23 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Omaha, NE | $36,140 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,120 |
| Dubuque, IA | $32,520 |
| Waterloo, IA | $32,050 |
| Sioux City, IA | $31,330 |
| Davenport, IA | $31,200 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $30,940 |
| Ames, IA | $29,900 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $51,210 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $42,650 |
| Cook | $36,760 |
| Cook | $36,320 |
| Cook | $36,070 |
| Food Server | $33,790 |
| Dishwasher | $30,450 |
| Cook | $30,360 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,140 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,270 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $15.92 ($33,120 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $33,120 against $35,320 nationally, 6% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $30,360, so Des Moines pays 9% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for food preparation worker pay?
188 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,640 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,230 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.