Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Ames, IA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $51,360 a year ($24.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,710 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 7% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $47,990. There are 1.0 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $58,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| 25th percentile | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Median | $51,360 | $24.69 |
| 75th percentile | $68,320 | $32.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,710 | $42.65 |
| Average (mean) | $58,540 | $28.14 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,280 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,140 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,975.38 |
| Weekly | $987.69 |
| Hourly | $24.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $62,240 | 330 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $51,210 | 460 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $49,590 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $48,850 | 180 |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,760 | 160 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,690 | 70 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $44,610 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $44,480 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,220 | $14.05 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,710 | $10.92 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| Bartender | $21,580 | $10.38 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,900 | $14.37 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,630 | $14.25 |
| Dishwasher | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,070 | $17.34 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Ames, IA metro area is $51,360 a year, or $24.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $88,710 a year. The top 25% earn $68,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,210 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $44,760 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Ames, IA?
About 60 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.