Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary grow from entry-level to senior in Iowa? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
58% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • Iowa salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa spans from $28,030 at entry-level to $44,150 at senior level — a difference of $16,120 per year.
Senior Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias in Iowa earn $16,120 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary increases with experience in Iowa, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $28,030 | $2,336 | $13.48 |
| Early Career | P25 | $30,970 | $2,581 | $14.89 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $35,810 | $2,984 | $17.22 |
| Experienced | P75 | $37,920 | $3,160 | $18.23 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $44,150 | $3,679 | $21.23 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa has a moderate salary progression with a 58% growth from entry-level ($28,030) to senior ($44,150). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($35,810) and P90 ($44,150) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does Iowa rank for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria senior-level salaries? Compare Iowa's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias (10th percentile) earn approximately $28,030 per year, or $2,335 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $30,970. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias (90th percentile) earn approximately $44,150 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $37,920. This represents a career premium of 58% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias is 58%. Entry-level professionals start at $28,030, while senior-level can earn up to $44,150 — a difference of $16,120 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias is Iowa, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $44,150 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
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Salary percentile data for Iowa from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Iowa.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS