Food Preparation Workers Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $30,840 -9.9% vs national
Median hourly $14.83
10th percentile $22,470
90th percentile $39,240
Employed locally 1,030
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,470
    25th
    $29,230
    50th (median)
    $30,840
    75th
    $34,200
    90th
    $39,240

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 37% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 63% 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 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 Workers make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Des Moines, IA is $14.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.23 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Des Moines, IA is 9.9% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,470 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,230.