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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Iowa
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in Iowa?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$35,670
Median Annual Salary
▼
-0.1% vs 2024
$35,700
Mean Salary
$35,670
Median Salary
$17.15
Hourly Rate
12,270 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Iowa
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in Iowa
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in Iowa earn a median salary of $35,670 per year ($2,972/month).
This is 5.3% below the national average of $37,684.
Iowa ranks #38 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 12,270 people work in this occupation across Iowa.
Salaries decreased by 0.1% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Restaurant
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Top Skills
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Critical Thinking
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.1
Customer and Personal Service
3.89
English Language
3.56
Production and Processing
3.0
Administration and Management
2.92
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Iowa range from $28,690 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $44,460 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $30,360 and $38,180.
Median $35,670
P10: $28,690P25: $30,360P75: $38,180P90: $44,460
10th
$28,690
25th
$30,360
Median
$35,670
75th
$38,180
90th
$44,460
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$28,690
$13.79
$2,390
25th Percentile
$30,360
$14.60
$2,530
Median (50th)
$35,670
$17.15
$2,972
75th Percentile
$38,180
$18.36
$3,181
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$44,460
$21.38
$3,705
Note: The mean (average) salary of $35,700 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Iowa is $35,670 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $35,700.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in Iowa?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Iowa range from $28,690 at the 10th percentile to $44,460 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $30,360 and $38,180.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Iowa?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in Iowa typically start around $28,690 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $30,360 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 12,270 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Iowa is approximately $17.15 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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