Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $35,330 -3.1% vs national
Median hourly $16.99
10th percentile $28,230
90th percentile $44,410
Employed locally 350
National median $36,450

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,230
    25th
    $31,220
    50th (median)
    $35,330
    75th
    $36,620
    90th
    $44,410

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 50% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 50% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $47,700
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $46,760
    California $45,680
    District of Columbia $45,600
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $45,270
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $45,150

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,890
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,660
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,310
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,290
    Bartenders $22,610
    Cooks, Fast Food $28,910

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Ames, IA is $16.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.75 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Ames, IA is 3.1% below the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Ames?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $28,230 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,220.