Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cedar Rapids, IA

Median annual salary $43,580 -28.5% vs national
Median hourly $20.95
10th percentile $32,670
90th percentile $71,590
Employed locally 160
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Cedar Rapids, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,670
    25th
    $38,140
    50th (median)
    $43,580
    75th
    $57,520
    90th
    $71,590

    Cedar Rapids economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,084 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 57% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 43% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Alexandria, LA $80,290
    District of Columbia $74,000
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $72,220
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $70,090
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $68,260
    California $66,780

    Related occupations in Cedar Rapids, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,410
    Waiters and Waitresses $27,620
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,470
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,620
    Bartenders $22,760

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Cedar Rapids?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Cedar Rapids, IA is $20.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.42 or more per hour.

    Is Cedar Rapids above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is 28.5% 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 Cedar Rapids?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $32,670 per year in Cedar Rapids, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,140.