Food Preparation Workers Salary in Iowa
Food Preparation Workers in Iowa have a median of $30,360 a year, below the national $35,320 (−14%); the state ranks 40th of 51 states by median. That is 37% less than the median across all occupations in Iowa ($48,540). Every neighbouring state pays more: Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri and South Dakota range from $30,430 in South Dakota to $35,210 in Nebraska. Iowa employs 4,170 food preparation workers, 2.67 per 1,000 jobs, the 40th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.47 means it is less common in Iowa than nationally.
Iowa vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Iowa | Hourly | $11.42 | $13.59 | $14.60 | $17.41 | $19.35 | $15.42 | 4,170 | 2.67 | 0.47 |
| Annual | $23,760 | $28,260 | $30,360 | $36,200 | $40,250 | $32,080 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $12.41 | $14.40 | $16.98 | $18.53 | $21.80 | $16.96 | 893,600 | – | – |
| Annual | $25,810 | $29,950 | $35,320 | $38,550 | $45,340 | $35,290 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 40th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 40th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.47
- Jobs per 1,000
- 2.67
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Iowa's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Iowa
9 metropolitan areas and 4 nonmetropolitan areas touching Iowa publish a row for food preparation workers, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $17.37 | $36,140 | $29,100 | $43,680 | 3,690 | 7.40 | 1.29 |
| Iowa City, IA | $16.89 | $35,120 | $26,370 | $44,990 | 270 | 2.85 | 0.50 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $15.92 | $33,120 | $27,640 | $46,230 | 770 | 1.89 | 0.33 |
| Dubuque, IA | $15.63 | $32,520 | $26,530 | $40,250 | 150 | 2.64 | 0.46 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $15.41 | $32,050 | $23,950 | $40,760 | 170 | 1.96 | 0.34 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $15.06 | $31,330 | $28,120 | $37,910 | 280 | 3.78 | 0.66 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $15.00 | $31,200 | $28,570 | $38,330 | 620 | 3.42 | 0.60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $14.87 | $30,940 | $24,580 | $39,120 | 340 | 2.42 | 0.42 |
| Ames, IA | $14.37 | $29,900 | $26,580 | $39,100 | 140 | 2.56 | 0.45 |
| Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $14.19 | $29,510 | $22,030 | $37,510 | 310 | 4.28 | 0.74 |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $13.99 | $29,110 | $23,580 | $39,740 | 740 | 3.69 | 0.64 |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $13.95 | $29,020 | $22,030 | $38,580 | 310 | 3.15 | 0.55 |
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $13.95 | $29,010 | $22,280 | $37,200 | 470 | 3.25 | 0.57 |
Neighbouring states
See the national page for Food Preparation Workers (every state ranked) and the Iowa wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Iowa estimates.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.