Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Southwest Iowa

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $37,910 -37.8% vs national
Median hourly $18.23
10th percentile $27,860
90th percentile $59,270
Employed locally 60
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Southwest Iowa
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,860
    25th
    $33,430
    50th (median)
    $37,910
    75th
    $49,630
    90th
    $59,270

    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

    Related occupations in Southwest Iowa

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,630
    Waiters and Waitresses $21,780
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $32,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,870
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,490
    Food Preparation Workers $28,640

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Southwest Iowa is $18.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.97 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Southwest Iowa is 37.8% 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 Southwest Iowa?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $27,860 per year in Southwest Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,430.