Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Iowa
Cooks, Fast Foods in Iowa make a median of $28,770 a year, or about $13.83 an hour. The range runs from $22K at the entry level to $37K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $29K get you in Iowa?
About cooks, fast foods
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level cooks, fast foods (10th percentile) start around $22K. Mid-career wages sit at $29K. Top earners bring in $37K or more, a $15K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Fast Food salary by metro in Iowa
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $30K | +3% | 1,310 |
| Iowa City | $29K | +1% | 330 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $29K | +1% | 580 |
| Ames | $29K | +0% | 240 |
| Cedar Rapids | $29K | +0% | 430 |
| Dubuque | $29K | -0% | 220 |
| Sioux City | $29K | -1% | 360 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $28K | -2% | 310 |
Compare to other states
Track cooks, fast food salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, fast foods make in Iowa?
The median is $28,770 a year, that works out to about $14 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $21,640, and experienced cooks, fast foods can clear $36,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $29K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $1,992/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 53.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cooks, fast food salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cooks, fast food salary is worth about $32,377 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cooks, fast foods get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.