Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Learn more
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Iowa
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Iowa?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$35,810
Median Annual Salary
▲
+3.6% vs 2024
$35,260
Mean Salary
$35,810
Median Salary
$17.22
Hourly Rate
8,860 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in Iowa
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa earn a median salary of $35,810 per year ($2,984/month).
This is 7.4% below the national average of $38,684.
Iowa ranks #37 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay.
Approximately 8,860 people work in this occupation across Iowa.
Salaries increased by 3.6% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
Top Skills
Speaking
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Service Orientation
3.12
Operations Monitoring
3.12
Quality Control Analysis
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
3.6
Food Production
3.58
Customer and Personal Service
3.56
Mathematics
3.54
Administration and Management
3.34
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(71.1% of workers)
Salary Range: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa range from $28,030 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $44,150 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $30,970 and $37,920.
Median $35,810
P10: $28,030P25: $30,970P75: $37,920P90: $44,150
10th
$28,030
25th
$30,970
Median
$35,810
75th
$37,920
90th
$44,150
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$28,030
$13.48
$2,335
25th Percentile
$30,970
$14.89
$2,580
Median (50th)
$35,810
$17.22
$2,984
75th Percentile
$37,920
$18.23
$3,160
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$44,150
$21.23
$3,679
Note: The mean (average) salary of $35,260 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#37
Iowa ranks #37 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Iowa?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa is $35,810 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $35,260.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa range from $28,030 at the 10th percentile to $44,150 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $30,970 and $37,920.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in Iowa typically start around $28,030 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $30,970 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 8,860 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa is approximately $17.22 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.
We use cookies to improve your experience, analyze site traffic, and serve relevant ads.
You can choose which categories to allow. For details, see our
Privacy Policy and
Cookie List.