Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Iowa

BLS OEWS May 2025 • 12 metro areas • Iowa

Chefs and Head Cooks in Iowa earn a median salary of $42,699 per year on average across 12 metro and nonmetro areas, -30% vs the national median of $60,990. An estimated 1,520 chefs and head cooks are employed across Iowa, with salaries ranging from $36,040 to $49,780 depending on location.

$42,699 Avg median salary in Iowa
$49,780 Highest paying metro
$36,040 Lowest paying metro
1,520 Employed in Iowa

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      Chefs and Head Cooks salaries by city in Iowa

      Metro area Median salary 25th pct 75th pct Employed
      Des Moines, IA $49,780 $38,760 $64,930 380
      Sioux City, IA-NE-SD $46,320 $34,580 $59,730 60
      Southeast Iowa $45,040 $37,910 $59,270 110
      Iowa City, IA $43,980 $35,360 $58,490 120
      Ames, IA $43,870 $35,020 $60,270 80
      Northwest Iowa $43,690 $35,250 $55,280 140
      Cedar Rapids, IA $43,580 $38,140 $57,520 160
      Davenport, IA-IL $42,720 $36,420 $56,450 190
      Dubuque, IA $42,700 $35,220 $62,700 50
      Southwest Iowa $37,910 $33,430 $49,630 60
      Waterloo, IA $36,760 $33,390 $53,740 70
      Northeast Iowa $36,040 $33,920 $43,040 100

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