Food Preparation Workers Salary in Iowa City, IA

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

Median annual salary $30,420 -11.1% vs national
Median hourly $14.63
10th percentile $22,200
90th percentile $39,510
Employed locally 310
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Iowa City, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,200
    25th
    $28,860
    50th (median)
    $30,420
    75th
    $34,010
    90th
    $39,510

    Iowa City economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,142 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 41% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 59% 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 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
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $36,230

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Iowa City?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Iowa City, IA is $14.63, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.63 or more per hour.

    Is Iowa City above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Iowa City, IA is 11.1% 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 Iowa City?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,200 per year in Iowa City, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,860.