Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Pay Range in Iowa
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$28,030
- 25th Percentile — Junior$30,970
- 50th Percentile — Median$35,810
- 75th Percentile — Senior$37,920
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$44,150
Half of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa earn more than $35,810. The top 10% make $44,150 or more, while entry-level workers start around $28,030.
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Iowa ranks 39th of 51 states for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay, at $35,260 per year (9.1% below the U.S. average of $38,810).
- 8,860 people work as Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa — 2.0% of all U.S. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs.
- Location quotient 2.00: Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs are more concentrated in Iowa than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,030; the top 10% earn over $44,150.
- Hourly equivalent: $16.95 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $52,100.
- Among hospitality jobs in Iowa, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($52,840).
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Job Market in Iowa
Key factors affecting compensation
Iowa's key industries are Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance, and its job market is rated moderate. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria here earn $35,260 on average, placing the state 39th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.86 (U.S. = 1.00), a Iowa salary of $35,260 is roughly equivalent to $41,000 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Idaho ($36,160), North Carolina ($36,130), Indiana ($35,910) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria 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
- Chefs and Head Cooks $52,840/yr Iowa +49.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,360/yr Iowa +20.1% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,700/yr Iowa +1.2% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,940/yr Iowa 17.9% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $27,600/yr Iowa 21.7% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $26,940/yr Iowa 23.6% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $26,810/yr Iowa 24.0% vs this role
- Bartenders $25,620/yr Iowa 27.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in Iowa?
The average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in Iowa is $35,260 per year (median $35,810), which is 9.1% below the national average of $38,810.
How does Iowa rank for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay?
Iowa ranks 39th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($52,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make in Iowa?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa earn about $28,030 per year and the 25th percentile is $30,970.
How much do Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Iowa?
About $16.95 per hour, based on the $35,260 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Institution and Cafeteria work in Iowa?
BLS counts 8,860 Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs in Iowa (OEWS May 2025).
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