Food Preparation Worker salary in Iowa City, IA
Food Preparation Workers in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $35,120 a year ($16.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,990 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 16% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $30,360. There are 2.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $34,960, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,370 | $12.68 |
| 25th percentile | $30,190 | $14.51 |
| Median | $35,120 | $16.89 |
| 75th percentile | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| Average (mean) | $34,960 | $16.81 |
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 | $2,926.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,463.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,350.77 |
| Weekly | $675.38 |
| Hourly | $16.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,120 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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $33,120 | 770 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,910 | $17.27 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,200 | $14.04 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $35,120 a year, or $16.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $44,990 a year. The top 25% earn $37,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,370 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $30,190 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Iowa City, IA?
About 270 food preparation workers are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.