Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Ames, IA
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA
Median annual salary
$43,870
-28.1% vs national
Median hourly
$21.09
10th percentile
$30,550
90th percentile
$72,070
Employed locally
80
National median
$60,990
Compare Chefs and Head Cooks salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Ames, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Ames, IA
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Salary percentile breakdown
Ames economic context
Unemployment rate
2.40%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$71,090
2023 • Census ACS
Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income
62%
Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 38% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Ames?
The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Ames, IA is $21.09, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.65 or more per hour.
Is Ames above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Ames, IA is 28.1% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.
What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Ames?
Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $30,550 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,020.