Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Iowa City, IA

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

Median annual salary $36,230 -0.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.42
10th percentile $26,140
90th percentile $41,150
Employed locally 550
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Iowa City, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,140
    25th
    $30,580
    50th (median)
    $36,230
    75th
    $37,140
    90th
    $41,150

    Iowa City economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,142 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 49% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 51% 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 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
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$27,740

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa City, IA is $17.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.52 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Iowa City, IA is 0.6% 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 Iowa City?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $26,140 per year in Iowa City, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,580.