Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn a median of $49,590 a year ($23.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,830 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $47,990. There are 0.90 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $54,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| 25th percentile | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Median | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| 75th percentile | $64,490 | $31.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,830 | $35.50 |
| Average (mean) | $54,130 | $26.02 |
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 | $4,132.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,066.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,907.31 |
| Weekly | $953.65 |
| Hourly | $23.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,590 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 |
| Lincoln, NE | $59,680 | 140 |
| Ames, IA | $51,360 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $51,210 | 460 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $50,150 | 120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $48,850 | 180 |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,760 | 160 |
| Rapid City, SD | $48,350 | 60 |
| 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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,090 | $13.99 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,430 | $12.71 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| Bartender | $23,750 | $11.42 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,330 | $15.06 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,290 | $15.04 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,760 | $14.31 |
| Dishwasher | $29,230 | $14.05 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $33,880 | $16.29 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area is $49,590 a year, or $23.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn at least $73,830 a year. The top 25% earn $64,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,610 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $42,480 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
About 70 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.