Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $36,410 a year ($17.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,420 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $35,810. There are 5.5 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,680, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,310 | $13.61 |
| 25th percentile | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Median | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| 75th percentile | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| Average (mean) | $35,680 | $17.15 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $3,034.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,517.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,400.38 |
| Weekly | $700.19 |
| Hourly | $17.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,410 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, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $36,890 | 290 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $36,750 | 1,890 |
| Iowa City, IA | $36,670 | 510 |
| Ames, IA | $36,540 | 380 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $36,320 | 1,670 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $36,030 | 360 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $35,740 | 840 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $35,680 | 500 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,940 | $14.87 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,940 | $15.84 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,280 | $13.60 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,670 | $10.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Bartender | $21,600 | $10.38 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| Dishwasher | $29,310 | $14.09 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,050 | $13.49 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $44,480 | $21.39 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. 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, institution and cafeteria make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $36,410 a year, or $17.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $43,420 a year. The top 25% earn $38,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,310 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $32,150 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 770 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.