Food Preparation Workers pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for food preparation workers is $14.60 an hour ($30,360 a year). About 4,170 people work in this job there.
That is 14% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). Iowa ranks 40th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $11.42 | $23,760 |
| 25% of workers | $13.59 | $28,260 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.60 | $30,360 |
| 75% of workers | $17.41 | $36,200 |
| 90% of workers | $19.35 | $40,250 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | $35,120 | 270 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $33,120 | 770 |
| Dubuque | $32,520 | 150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $32,050 | 170 |
| Sioux City | $31,330 | 280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $31,200 | 620 |
| Cedar Rapids | $30,940 | 340 |
| Ames | $29,900 | 140 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,390 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,670 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,810 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,510 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,110 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,750 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,210 |
| Bakers | $37,210 |
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.