Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Iowa
Chefs and Head Cooks in Iowa earn a median of $47,990 a year ($23.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,730 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $62,470. Iowa ranks 49th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 1.1 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| 25th percentile | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Median | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| 75th percentile | $59,380 | $28.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Average (mean) | $52,840 | $25.40 |
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 | $3,999.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,999.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,845.77 |
| Weekly | $922.88 |
| Hourly | $23.07 |
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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $62,240 | 330 |
| Ames, IA | $51,360 | 60 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,760 | $18.64 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,000 | $10.10 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Bartender | $21,720 | $10.44 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Dishwasher | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $34,090 | $16.39 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $33,480 | $16.10 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Iowa is $47,990 a year, or $23.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Iowa?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Iowa earn at least $74,730 a year. The top 25% earn $59,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,770 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $42,620 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Iowa?
About 1,640 chefs and head cooks are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.