Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $51,210 a year ($24.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,740 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 7% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $47,990. There are 1.1 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| 25th percentile | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| Median | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| 75th percentile | $66,720 | $32.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,740 | $36.89 |
| Average (mean) | $56,320 | $27.08 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,267.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,133.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,969.62 |
| Weekly | $984.81 |
| Hourly | $24.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $62,240 | 330 |
| Ames, IA | $51,360 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $49,590 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $48,850 | 180 |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,760 | 160 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,690 | 70 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $44,610 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $44,480 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,650 | $20.50 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $20,410 | $9.81 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Bartender | $22,340 | $10.74 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| Dishwasher | $30,450 | $14.64 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,270 | $13.59 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $34,290 | $16.49 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $51,210 a year, or $24.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $76,740 a year. The top 25% earn $66,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,450 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $45,610 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 460 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.