Cooks, Fast Food salary in Iowa City, IA
Cooks, Fast Food in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $29,200 a year ($14.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,700 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $28,510. There are 4.7 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $28,130, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,700 | $7.55 |
| 25th percentile | $17,640 | $8.48 |
| Median | $29,200 | $14.04 |
| 75th percentile | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,700 | $19.09 |
| Average (mean) | $28,130 | $13.52 |
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 | $2,433.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,216.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,123.08 |
| Weekly | $561.54 |
| Hourly | $14.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,200 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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $30,360 | 1,980 |
| Dubuque, IA | $29,500 | 290 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,910 | $17.27 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,120 | $16.89 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,030 | $10.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,970 | $18.73 |
| Bartender | $21,900 | $10.53 |
| Dishwasher | $29,530 | $14.20 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,860 | $13.87 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,760 | $23.44 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $29,200 a year, or $14.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $39,700 a year. The top 25% earn $34,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,700 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $17,640 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Iowa City, IA?
About 440 cooks, fast food are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.