Food Preparation Worker salary in Ames, IA
Food Preparation Workers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $29,900 a year ($14.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,100 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $30,360. There are 2.6 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $32,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,580 | $12.78 |
| 25th percentile | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| Median | $29,900 | $14.37 |
| 75th percentile | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| Average (mean) | $32,560 | $15.65 |
Half of food preparation workers 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 | $2,491.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,245.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,150 |
| Weekly | $575 |
| Hourly | $14.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $36,140 | 3,690 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,120 | 270 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $33,120 | 770 |
| Dubuque, IA | $32,520 | 150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $32,050 | 170 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,330 | 280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 620 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $30,940 | 340 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,220 | $14.05 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,710 | $10.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Bartender | $21,580 | $10.38 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| 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 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $51,360 | $24.69 |
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 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Ames, IA metro area is $29,900 a year, or $14.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $39,100 a year. The top 25% earn $36,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,580 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,500 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Ames, IA?
About 140 food preparation workers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.