SOC 35-1012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 7 metro areas compared
At $42,650, median pay for First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers in Des Moines, IA tracks the national median of $44,080 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $42,650, median pay for First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers in Des Moines, IA tracks the national median of $44,080 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $36,930 and $49,030. The lowest tenth earn under $29,630, while the highest tenth earn more than $62,130.
The area has 2,690 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.85 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Ames leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $39,710. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 421st of 508 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,630 | −32.8% |
| 25th | $36,930 | −16.2% |
| Median (50th) | $42,650 | −3.2% |
| 75th | $49,030 | +11.2% |
| 90th | $62,130 | +40.9% |
| Mean | $44,120 | +0.1% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $39,710 | 490 | |
| 2 | Dubuque | $39,510 | 460 | |
| 3 | Iowa City | $38,970 | 850 | |
| 4 | Sioux City | $38,960 | 570 | |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | $38,610 | 1,050 | |
| 6 | Davenport | $38,480 | 1,410 | |
| 7 | Waterloo | $38,180 | 620 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Des Moines run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $42,650 goes as far as $48,576 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$42,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,576US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,650 a year, 3.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,630 to $62,130 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,690 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ames, at $39,710.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers in Des Moines, IA?
The median annual wage is $42,650, or $20.50 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 $44,080, so pay in Des Moines, IA is 3.2% 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 $62,130 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,630 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 $39,710 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,690 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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