Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $49,780 -18.4% vs national
Median hourly $23.94
10th percentile $35,530
90th percentile $73,990
Employed locally 380
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,530
    25th
    $38,760
    50th (median)
    $49,780
    75th
    $64,930
    90th
    $73,990

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 59% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 41% 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 Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,010
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,840
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,430
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $40,480
    Bartenders $23,430
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,360

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Des Moines, IA is $23.94, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.89 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Des Moines, IA is 18.4% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $35,530 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,760.