Food Service Manager salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Food Service Managers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $66,860 a year ($32.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,410 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $69,390. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $66,700. There are 1.0 food service managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $70,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food service managers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| 25th percentile | $56,580 | $27.20 |
| Median | $66,860 | $32.15 |
| 75th percentile | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| Average (mean) | $70,610 | $33.95 |
Half of food service managers 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 | $5,571.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,785.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,571.54 |
| Weekly | $1,285.77 |
| Hourly | $32.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,860 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 Service Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $76,910 | 90 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,150 | 140 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $64,220 | 80 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $63,650 | 100 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $62,940 | 910 |
| Ames, IA | $62,590 | 100 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,230 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,930 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for food service managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $95,190 |
| Massachusetts | $92,240 |
| Hawaii | $87,800 |
| New York | $84,200 |
| Rhode Island | $82,850 |
| Alaska | $82,030 |
| District of Columbia | $81,680 |
| Colorado | $79,870 |
| Minnesota | $79,820 |
| California | $78,260 |
See Food Service Manager pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $139,110 | $66.88 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Construction Manager | $103,920 | $49.96 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $117,980 | — |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $60,600 | $29.13 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,330 | $71.31 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $49,210 | $23.66 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $76,800 | $36.92 |
| Lodging Manager | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $104,810 | $50.39 |
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| Funeral Home Manager | $90,410 | $43.47 |
More: Management 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 11-9051. 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 service manager make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for food service managers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $66,860 a year, or $32.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food service managers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of food service managers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $92,410 a year. The top 25% earn $79,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for food service managers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,440 a year, and a quarter of food service managers earn $56,580 or less.
How many food service managers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 410 food service managers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.