Food Preparation Worker salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
Food Preparation Workers in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn a median of $31,330 a year ($15.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,910 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $30,360. There are 3.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $32,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,120 | $13.52 |
| 25th percentile | $29,010 | $13.95 |
| Median | $31,330 | $15.06 |
| 75th percentile | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,910 | $18.22 |
| Average (mean) | $32,510 | $15.63 |
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 | $2,610.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,305.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,205 |
| Weekly | $602.50 |
| Hourly | $15.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,330 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 |
| Lincoln, NE | $35,210 | 1,270 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,120 | 270 |
| Grand Island, NE | $34,590 | 190 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $33,120 | 770 |
| Dubuque, IA | $32,520 | 150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $32,050 | 170 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 620 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $30,940 | 340 |
| Rapid City, SD | $30,670 | 610 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $30,360 | 1,170 |
| 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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area is $31,330 a year, or $15.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn at least $37,910 a year. The top 25% earn $35,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,120 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,010 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
About 280 food preparation workers are employed in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.