Food Preparation Workers Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $30,510 -10.8% vs national
Median hourly $14.67
10th percentile $22,580
90th percentile $38,680
Employed locally 270
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Waterloo, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,580
    25th
    $28,880
    50th (median)
    $30,510
    75th
    $32,880
    90th
    $38,680

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 44% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 56% 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 Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,080
    Waiters and Waitresses $25,470
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,680
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $34,410
    Bartenders $22,000

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Waterloo?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Waterloo, IA is $14.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.59 or more per hour.

    Is Waterloo above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Waterloo, IA is 10.8% 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 Waterloo?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,580 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,880.