SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 7 metro areas compared
In Des Moines, IA the median wage is $51,210.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Des Moines, IA the median wage is $51,210. That is 18.0% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay ranges from under $37,450 at the tenth percentile to more than $76,740 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,610 to $66,720.
Employment stands at 460, or 1.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ames records the highest median at $51,360. Of the 508 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 320th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,450 | −40.1% |
| 25th | $45,610 | −27.0% |
| Median (50th) | $51,210 | −18.0% |
| 75th | $66,720 | +6.8% |
| 90th | $76,740 | +22.8% |
| Mean | $56,320 | −9.8% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $51,360 | 60 | |
| 2 | Sioux City | $49,590 | 70 | |
| 3 | Davenport | $48,850 | 180 | |
| 4 | Iowa City | $48,760 | 160 | |
| 5 | Dubuque | $47,690 | 70 | |
| 6 | Waterloo | $44,610 | 60 | |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $44,480 | 170 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Des Moines run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $51,210 goes as far as $58,326 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$51,210as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$58,326US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $51,210 a year, 18.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,450 to $76,740 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 460 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ames, at $51,360.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Des Moines, IA?
The median annual wage is $51,210, or $24.62 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in Des Moines, IA is 18.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Des Moines, IA earns more than $76,740 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,450 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Ames, at $51,360 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 460 jobs in this occupation in Des Moines, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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