Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Southeast Iowa

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

Median annual salary $31,120 -15.5% vs national
Median hourly $14.96
10th percentile $22,000
90th percentile $43,250
Employed locally 1,390
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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Southeast Iowa
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,000
    25th
    $29,100
    50th (median)
    $31,120
    75th
    $36,630
    90th
    $43,250

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in Southeast Iowa

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,340
    Waiters and Waitresses$21,950
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,740
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$31,240
    Bartenders$21,720
    Cooks, Fast Food$27,420

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Southeast Iowa?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southeast Iowa is $14.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.30 or more per hour.

    Is Southeast Iowa above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Southeast Iowa is 15.5% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Southeast Iowa?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $22,000 per year in Southeast Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,100.