Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Iowa
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,770
- 25th Percentile — Junior$42,620
- 50th Percentile — Median$47,990
- 75th Percentile — Senior$59,380
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$74,730
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Iowa earn more than $47,990. The top 10% make $74,730 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,770.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Iowa: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Iowa ranks 49th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $52,840 per year (20.8% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 1,640 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Iowa — 0.8% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.82: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Iowa than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,770; the top 10% earn over $74,730.
- Hourly equivalent: $25.4 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Iowa, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($42,360).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Iowa
Key factors affecting compensation
Iowa's key industries are Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $52,840 on average, placing the state 49th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.86 (U.S. = 1.00), a Iowa salary of $52,840 is roughly equivalent to $61,442 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Mississippi ($56,910), Kentucky ($55,770), Indiana ($55,060) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Iowa
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,360/yr Iowa 19.8% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,700/yr Iowa 32.4% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $35,260/yr Iowa 33.3% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,940/yr Iowa 45.2% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $27,600/yr Iowa 47.8% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $26,940/yr Iowa 49.0% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $26,810/yr Iowa 49.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $25,620/yr Iowa 51.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Iowa?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Iowa is $52,840 per year (median $47,990), which is 20.8% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Iowa rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Iowa ranks 49th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in Iowa?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Iowa earn about $36,770 per year and the 25th percentile is $42,620.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Iowa?
About $25.4 per hour, based on the $52,840 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Iowa?
BLS counts 1,640 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Iowa (OEWS May 2025).
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