How much does a food preparation worker make in Waterloo?
$32,050a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area. That is $15.41 an hour or $2,671 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.41
- Vs. national median
- -9%
- Rank among cities
- 210 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 170
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,950Median: $32,050Highest 10%: $40,760
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,950 | $11.51 | |
| 25th | $28,410 | $13.66 | |
| Median | $32,050 | $15.41 | |
| 75th | $37,230 | $17.90 | |
| 90th | $40,760 | $19.60 |
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 |
| Sioux City, IA | $31,330 |
| Davenport, IA | $31,200 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $30,940 |
| Ames, IA | $29,900 |
Related jobs in Waterloo
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $44,610 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,180 |
| Cook | $35,680 |
| Cook | $35,420 |
| Cook | $33,520 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,930 |
| Dishwasher | $28,890 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,190 |
| Food Server | $28,140 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,820 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Waterloo?
The median hourly pay in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $15.41 ($32,050 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Waterloo than the national average?
No: $32,050 against $35,320 nationally, 9% less.
How does Waterloo compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $30,360, so Waterloo pays 6% more.
Where does Waterloo rank for food preparation worker pay?
210 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Waterloo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,950 or less a year; the top 10% make $40,760 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.