SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Northeast Iowa
Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay in Northeast Iowa, IA is $44,510 a year, 28.7% under the national median of $62,470 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Northeast Iowa, IA is $44,510 a year, 28.7% under the national median of $62,470 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,040 and $58,470. The lowest tenth earn under $33,570, while the highest tenth earn more than $65,670.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.6 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Ames records the highest median at $51,360. Of the 331 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 243rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,570 | −46.3% |
| 25th | $37,040 | −40.7% |
| Median (50th) | $44,510 | −28.7% |
| 75th | $58,470 | −6.4% |
| 90th | $65,670 | +5.1% |
| Mean | $47,560 | −23.9% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $51,360 | 60 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $51,210 | 460 | |
| 3 | Sioux City | $49,590 | 70 | |
| 4 | Davenport | $48,850 | 180 | |
| 5 | Iowa City | $48,760 | 160 | |
| 6 | Dubuque | $47,690 | 70 | |
| 7 | Waterloo | $44,610 | 60 | |
| 8 | Cedar Rapids | $44,480 | 170 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeast Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $44,510 goes as far as $50,695 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,695US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,510 a year, 28.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,570 to $65,670 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 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 Northeast Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $44,510, or $21.40 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 Northeast Iowa, IA is 28.7% 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 Northeast Iowa, IA earns more than $65,670 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,570 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 60 jobs in this occupation in Northeast Iowa, 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.
Explore related data