Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $17.22 an hour ($35,810 a year). About 8,860 people work in this job there.
That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). Iowa ranks 37th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.48 | $28,030 |
| 25% of workers | $14.89 | $30,970 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.22 | $35,810 |
| 75% of workers | $18.23 | $37,920 |
| 90% of workers | $21.23 | $44,150 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque | $36,890 | 290 |
| Iowa City | $36,670 | 510 |
| Ames | $36,540 | 380 |
| Cedar Rapids | $36,410 | 770 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $36,320 | 1,670 |
| Sioux City | $36,030 | 360 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $35,740 | 840 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $35,680 | 500 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 62,900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,390 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,670 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,760 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,510 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,360 |
| Bakers | $37,210 |
| Food Service Managers | $66,700 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $47,990 |
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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.