Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $34,510 -0.9% vs national
Median hourly $16.59
10th percentile $26,840
90th percentile $44,510
Employed locally 40
National median $34,830

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Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,840
    25th
    $32,140
    50th (median)
    $34,510
    75th
    $35,580
    90th
    $44,510

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary vs area income 41% Median Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary is 59% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $77,840
    Hawaii $62,110
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $58,030
    Salem, OR $49,900
    Bend, OR $45,810
    Virgin Islands $43,410

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $39,840
    Omaha, NE-IA $39,730
    Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area $38,890
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $38,380
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $38,340
    Indiana $36,930

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,010
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,840
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,430
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $40,480
    Bartenders $23,430
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,360

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Des Moines, IA is $16.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.11 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salaries?

    The median Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary in Des Moines, IA is 0.9% below the national median of $34,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other (10th percentile) earn around $26,840 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $32,140.