How much does a food preparation worker make in Iowa City?
$35,120a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Iowa City, IA metro area. That is $16.88 an hour or $2,927 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.88
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 122 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 270
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $26,370Median: $35,120Highest 10%: $44,990
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,370 | $12.68 | |
| 25th | $30,190 | $14.51 | |
| Median | $35,120 | $16.88 | |
| 75th | $37,810 | $18.18 | |
| 90th | $44,990 | $21.63 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Omaha, NE | $36,140 |
| 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 |
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 |
| Dishwasher | $29,530 |
| Food Server | $29,350 |
| Cook | $29,200 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,860 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Iowa City?
The median hourly pay in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $16.88 ($35,120 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Iowa City than the national average?
No: $35,120 against $35,320 nationally, 1% less.
How does Iowa City compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $30,360, so Iowa City pays 16% more.
Where does Iowa City rank for food preparation worker pay?
122 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Iowa City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $26,370 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,990 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.