SOC 35-1012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — Northwest Iowa
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
In Northwest Iowa, IA the median wage is $37,760.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Northwest Iowa, IA the median wage is $37,760. That is 14.3% lower than the national median of $44,080. Pay ranges from under $28,820 at the tenth percentile to more than $59,430 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $34,880 to $46,530.
The area has 930 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.81 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Des Moines records the highest median at $42,650. Of the 368 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 309th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,820 | −34.6% |
| 25th | $34,880 | −20.9% |
| Median (50th) | $37,760 | −14.3% |
| 75th | $46,530 | +5.6% |
| 90th | $59,430 | +34.8% |
| Mean | $41,730 | −5.3% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $42,650 | 2,690 | |
| 2 | Ames | $39,710 | 490 | |
| 3 | Dubuque | $39,510 | 460 | |
| 4 | Iowa City | $38,970 | 850 | |
| 5 | Sioux City | $38,960 | 570 | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $38,610 | 1,050 | |
| 7 | Davenport | $38,480 | 1,410 | |
| 8 | Waterloo | $38,180 | 620 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $37,760 goes as far as $43,007 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,760as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,007US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,760 a year, 14.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,820 to $59,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 930 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Des Moines, at $42,650.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers in Northwest Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $37,760, or $18.15 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 Northwest Iowa, IA is 14.3% 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 Northwest Iowa, IA earns more than $59,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,820 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 Des Moines, at $42,650 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 930 jobs in this occupation in Northwest 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.
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