Cooks, Fast Food salary in Iowa
Cooks, Fast Food in Iowa earn a median of $28,510 a year ($13.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,810 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $30,890. Iowa ranks 37th of 51 states for cooks, fast food pay. There are 5.3 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $27,600, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| 25th percentile | $16,140 | $7.76 |
| Median | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| 75th percentile | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,810 | $19.62 |
| Average (mean) | $27,600 | $13.27 |
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 | $2,375.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,187.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,096.54 |
| Weekly | $548.27 |
| Hourly | $13.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,510 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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $31,220 | 1,480 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $30,460 | 790 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $30,360 | 1,980 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $34,090 | $16.39 |
| Cooks, All Other | $26,060 | $12.53 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,000 | $10.10 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,760 | $18.64 |
| Bartender | $21,720 | $10.44 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| Dishwasher | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $47,990 | $23.07 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in Iowa is $28,510 a year, or $13.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Iowa?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in Iowa earn at least $40,810 a year. The top 25% earn $33,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,080 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $16,140 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Iowa?
About 8,290 cooks, fast food are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.