Cooks, Fast Food salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Cooks, Fast Food in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $30,360 a year ($14.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $16,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,780 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 6% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $28,510. There are 4.9 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,290, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,140 | $7.76 |
| 25th percentile | $23,830 | $11.46 |
| Median | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| 75th percentile | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Average (mean) | $29,290 | $14.08 |
Half of cooks, fast food 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 | $2,530 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,265 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,167.69 |
| Weekly | $583.85 |
| Hourly | $14.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $31,220 | 1,480 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $30,460 | 790 |
| Dubuque, IA | $29,500 | 290 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,200 | 440 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,040 | 490 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $28,390 | 480 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $20,410 | $9.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,650 | $20.50 |
| Bartender | $22,340 | $10.74 |
| 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 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| 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 35-2011. 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 cooks, fast food make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $30,360 a year, or $14.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $16,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $43,780 a year. The top 25% earn $35,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16,140 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $23,830 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 1,980 cooks, fast food are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.