Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Iowa City, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Iowa City, IA

Median annual salary $43,980 -27.9% vs national
Median hourly $21.14
10th percentile $29,040
90th percentile $71,060
Employed locally 120
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Iowa City, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,040
    25th
    $35,360
    50th (median)
    $43,980
    75th
    $58,490
    90th
    $71,060

    Iowa City economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,142 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 Iowa City, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,610
    Waiters and Waitresses$28,520
    Cooks, Restaurant$35,880
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$39,240
    Bartenders$22,880
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$36,230

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Iowa City?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Iowa City, IA is $21.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.66 or more per hour.

    Is Iowa City above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Iowa City, IA is 27.9% 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 Iowa City?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $29,040 per year in Iowa City, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,360.