Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $36,760 -39.7% vs national
Median hourly $17.67
10th percentile $28,430
90th percentile $66,080
Employed locally 70
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Waterloo, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,430
    25th
    $33,390
    50th (median)
    $36,760
    75th
    $53,740
    90th
    $66,080

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 53% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 47% 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 Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,080
    Waiters and Waitresses $25,470
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,680
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $34,410
    Bartenders $22,000

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Waterloo, IA is $17.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.28 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Waterloo, IA is 39.7% 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 Waterloo?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $28,430 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,390.