Food Preparation Worker salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Food Preparation Workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $33,120 a year ($15.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,230 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 9% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $30,360. There are 1.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $34,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,640 | $13.29 |
| 25th percentile | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Median | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| 75th percentile | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,230 | $22.23 |
| Average (mean) | $34,780 | $16.72 |
Half of food preparation workers 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 | $2,760 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,380 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,273.85 |
| Weekly | $636.92 |
| Hourly | $15.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $36,140 | 3,690 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,120 | 270 |
| Dubuque, IA | $32,520 | 150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $32,050 | 170 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,330 | 280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 620 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $30,940 | 340 |
| Ames, IA | $29,900 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker 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, Fast Food | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $33,120 a year, or $15.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $46,230 a year. The top 25% earn $38,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,640 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,520 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 770 food preparation workers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.