Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn a median of $36,030 a year ($17.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,180 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $35,810. There are 4.8 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,200, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,310 | $14.09 |
| 25th percentile | $31,070 | $14.94 |
| Median | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| 75th percentile | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,180 | $20.28 |
| Average (mean) | $35,200 | $16.92 |
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 | $3,002.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,501.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,385.77 |
| Weekly | $692.88 |
| Hourly | $17.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,030 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $37,240 | 630 |
| Dubuque, IA | $36,890 | 290 |
| Rapid City, SD | $36,870 | 260 |
| Lincoln, NE | $36,830 | 640 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $36,750 | 1,890 |
| Iowa City, IA | $36,670 | 510 |
| Ames, IA | $36,540 | 380 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,410 | 770 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $36,320 | 1,670 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $35,740 | 840 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $35,680 | 500 |
| Grand Island, NE | $35,630 | 130 |
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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,330 | $15.06 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $33,880 | $16.29 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,090 | $13.99 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,430 | $12.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Bartender | $23,750 | $11.42 |
| 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 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,590 | $23.84 |
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 35-2012. 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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area is $36,030 a year, or $17.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn at least $42,180 a year. The top 25% earn $37,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,310 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $31,070 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
About 360 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.