Food Preparation Workers Salary in Southeast Iowa

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $28,640 -16.3% vs national
Median hourly $13.77
10th percentile $21,300
90th percentile $32,540
Employed locally 700
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Southeast Iowa
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,300
    25th
    $23,430
    50th (median)
    $28,640
    75th
    $30,300
    90th
    $32,540

    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

    Related occupations in Southeast Iowa

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,340
    Waiters and Waitresses $21,950
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,740
    Cooks, Restaurant $31,120
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,240
    Bartenders $21,720

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Southeast Iowa is $13.77, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.11 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Southeast Iowa is 16.3% 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 Southeast Iowa?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $21,300 per year in Southeast Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,430.