Food Preparation Workers Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cedar Rapids, IA

Median annual salary $29,850 -12.8% vs national
Median hourly $14.35
10th percentile $22,160
90th percentile $36,650
Employed locally 430
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Cedar Rapids, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,160
    25th
    $25,420
    50th (median)
    $29,850
    75th
    $32,650
    90th
    $36,650

    Cedar Rapids economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,084 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 39% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 61% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $39,300
    District of Columbia $38,440
    California $38,150
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $37,810
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $37,290
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $37,180

    Related occupations in Cedar Rapids, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,410
    Waiters and Waitresses $27,620
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,470
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,620
    Bartenders $22,760

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Cedar Rapids?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Cedar Rapids, IA is $14.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.81 or more per hour.

    Is Cedar Rapids above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is 12.8% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Cedar Rapids?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,160 per year in Cedar Rapids, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,420.