Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $23.07 an hour ($47,990 a year). About 1,640 people work in this job there.
That is 23% lower than the U.S. median ($62,470). Iowa ranks 49th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.68 | $36,770 |
| 25% of workers | $20.49 | $42,620 |
| Half of workers (median) | $23.07 | $47,990 |
| 75% of workers | $28.55 | $59,380 |
| 90% of workers | $35.93 | $74,730 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Ames | $51,360 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $51,210 | 460 |
| Sioux City | $49,590 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $48,850 | 180 |
| Iowa City | $48,760 | 160 |
| Dubuque | $47,690 | 70 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $44,610 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids | $44,480 | 170 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,000 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,670 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,760 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,810 |
| Food Batchmakers | $48,300 |
| Bakers | $37,210 |
| Food Service Managers | $66,700 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $34,090 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.