Food Preparation Workers Salary in Iowa
BLS OEWS May 2025 • 12 metro areas • Iowa
Food Preparation Workers in Iowa earn a median salary of $29,897 per year on average across 12 metro and nonmetro areas, -12.6% vs the national median of $34,220. An estimated 5,270 food preparation workers are employed across Iowa, with salaries ranging from $28,640 to $31,560 depending on location.
$29,897
Avg median salary in Iowa
$31,560
Highest paying metro
$28,640
Lowest paying metro
5,270
Employed in Iowa
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Food Preparation Workers
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Food Preparation Workers salaries by city in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | 25th pct | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $31,560 | $29,390 | $36,320 | 210 |
| Des Moines, IA | $30,840 | $29,230 | $34,200 | 1,030 |
| Ames, IA | $30,510 | $28,270 | $35,130 | 170 |
| Waterloo, IA | $30,510 | $28,880 | $32,880 | 270 |
| Iowa City, IA | $30,420 | $28,860 | $34,010 | 310 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $30,300 | $28,210 | $33,560 | 340 |
| Davenport, IA-IL | $30,210 | $29,120 | $33,230 | 680 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,850 | $25,420 | $32,650 | 430 |
| Northeast Iowa | $28,640 | $21,300 | $30,300 | 360 |
| Northwest Iowa | $28,640 | $21,910 | $29,430 | 440 |
| Southeast Iowa | $28,640 | $23,430 | $30,300 | 700 |
| Southwest Iowa | $28,640 | $22,880 | $30,300 | 330 |