Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Iowa
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for cooks, restaurant in Iowa was $35,670 -4.6% vs national
Iowa vs United States
| Iowa | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $35,670 | $37,390 |
| Median hourly | $17.15 | $17.98 |
| Employment | 12,270 | 1,409,890 |
| Location quotient | 0.87 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (Iowa) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
How to interpret these figures
Employment density in Iowa is 0.87x the national average — a below-average concentration of these roles in the local economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cooks, restaurant salary in Iowa?
The median annual wage in Iowa is $35,670 ($17.15 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for cooks, restaurant?
The Iowa median of $35,670 is 4.6% lower than the U.S. median of $37,390.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Iowa?
Approximately 12,270 are employed in Iowa, per BLS OES.