How much does a food preparation worker make in Iowa?
$30,360a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in Iowa. That is $14.60 an hour or $2,530 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.60
- Vs. national median
- -14%
- Rank among states
- 40 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 4,170
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,760Median: $30,360Highest 10%: $40,250
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,760 | $11.42 | |
| 25th | $28,260 | $13.59 | |
| Median | $30,360 | $14.60 | |
| 75th | $36,200 | $17.40 | |
| 90th | $40,250 | $19.35 |
Cities in Iowa
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| 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 |
| Ames, IA | $29,900 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food preparation workers.
| 37. Pennsylvania | $30,840 |
| 38. Texas | $30,650 |
| 39. South Dakota | $30,430 |
| 40. Iowa | $30,360 |
| 41. Kansas | $30,280 |
| 42. North Carolina | $30,260 |
| 43. Indiana | $29,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Iowa?
The median hourly pay in Iowa is $14.60 ($30,360 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Iowa than the national average?
No: $30,360 against $35,320 nationally, 14% less.
Where does Iowa rank for food preparation worker pay?
Iowa ranks 40 of 51 states.
Which city in Iowa pays food preparation workers the most?
Omaha, NE-IA, with a median of $36,140 a year.
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.