Food Preparation Worker salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Food Preparation Workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $32,050 a year ($15.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,760 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 6% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $30,360. There are 2.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $32,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,950 | $11.51 |
| 25th percentile | $28,410 | $13.66 |
| Median | $32,050 | $15.41 |
| 75th percentile | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,760 | $19.59 |
| Average (mean) | $32,330 | $15.54 |
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 | $2,670.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,335.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,232.69 |
| Weekly | $616.35 |
| Hourly | $15.41 |
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 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,330 | 280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 620 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $30,940 | 340 |
| Ames, IA | $29,900 | 140 |
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,680 | $17.16 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $33,520 | $16.12 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,820 | $13.38 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,490 | $10.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Bartender | $21,540 | $10.36 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $28,140 | $13.53 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Dishwasher | $28,890 | $13.89 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $44,610 | $21.45 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $32,050 a year, or $15.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $40,760 a year. The top 25% earn $37,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,950 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,410 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 170 food preparation workers are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.