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Food Preparation Workers Salary in Iowa
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Food Preparation Workers make in Iowa?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$30,360
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.7% vs 2024
$32,080
Mean Salary
$30,360
Median Salary
$14.60
Hourly Rate
4,170 people work as Food Preparation Workers in Iowa
Food Preparation Workers salary by percentile in Iowa
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Food Preparation Workers in Iowa earn a median salary of $30,360 per year ($2,530/month).
This is 9.6% below the national average of $33,596.
Iowa ranks #40 out of 51 states for Food Preparation Workers pay.
Approximately 4,170 people work in this occupation across Iowa.
Salaries increased by 1.7% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Food Preparation Workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Social Perceptiveness
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Service Orientation
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Customer and Personal Service
4.39
Administration and Management
3.19
Public Safety and Security
2.99
Food Production
2.93
English Language
2.91
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.6% of workers)
Salaries for Food Preparation Workers in Iowa range from $23,760 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $40,250 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $28,260 and $36,200.
Median $30,360
P10: $23,760P25: $28,260P75: $36,200P90: $40,250
10th
$23,760
25th
$28,260
Median
$30,360
75th
$36,200
90th
$40,250
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$23,760
$11.42
$1,980
25th Percentile
$28,260
$13.59
$2,355
Median (50th)
$30,360
$14.60
$2,530
75th Percentile
$36,200
$17.40
$3,016
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$40,250
$19.35
$3,354
Note: The mean (average) salary of $32,080 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Food Preparation Workers make in Iowa?
The median annual salary for Food Preparation Workers in Iowa is $30,360 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $32,080.
What is the salary range for a Food Preparation Workers in Iowa?
Salaries for Food Preparation Workers in Iowa range from $23,760 at the 10th percentile to $40,250 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $28,260 and $36,200.
What is the starting salary for a Food Preparation Workers in Iowa?
Entry-level Food Preparation Workers positions in Iowa typically start around $23,760 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $28,260 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Food Preparation Workers in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 4,170 people are employed as Food Preparation Workers in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Food Preparation Workers in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Food Preparation Workers in Iowa is approximately $14.60 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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