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Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Iowa
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Fast Food make in Iowa?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$28,510
Median Annual Salary
▼
-0.9% vs 2024
$27,600
Mean Salary
$28,510
Median Salary
$13.71
Hourly Rate
8,290 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa
Cooks, Fast Food salary by percentile in Iowa
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa earn a median salary of $28,510 per year ($2,375/month).
This is 10.2% below the national average of $31,757.
Iowa ranks #37 out of 51 states for Cooks, Fast Food pay.
Approximately 8,290 people work in this occupation across Iowa.
Salaries decreased by 0.9% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Fast Food
Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.0
Service Orientation
3.0
Speaking
2.75
Social Perceptiveness
2.75
Coordination
2.75
Key Knowledge Areas
Administration and Management
3.34
Transportation
3.26
Communications and Media
3.2
Customer and Personal Service
3.13
Public Safety and Security
3.13
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(58.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa range from $15,080 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $40,810 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $16,140 and $33,710.
Median $28,510
P10: $15,080P25: $16,140P75: $33,710P90: $40,810
10th
$15,080
25th
$16,140
Median
$28,510
75th
$33,710
90th
$40,810
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$15,080
$7.25
$1,256
25th Percentile
$16,140
$7.76
$1,345
Median (50th)
$28,510
$13.71
$2,375
75th Percentile
$33,710
$16.21
$2,809
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$40,810
$19.62
$3,400
Note: The mean (average) salary of $27,600 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa is $28,510 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $27,600.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa?
Salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa range from $15,080 at the 10th percentile to $40,810 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $16,140 and $33,710.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa?
Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food positions in Iowa typically start around $15,080 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $16,140 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 8,290 people are employed as Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa is approximately $13.71 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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