SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Southeast Iowa
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
In Southeast Iowa, IA the median wage is $29,110.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Southeast Iowa, IA the median wage is $29,110. That is 17.6% lower than the national median of $35,320. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $27,850 and $34,020. The lowest tenth earn under $23,580, while the highest tenth earn more than $39,740.
The area has 740 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.64 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Iowa City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $35,120. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 401st of 420 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,580 | −33.2% |
| 25th | $27,850 | −21.1% |
| Median (50th) | $29,110 | −17.6% |
| 75th | $34,020 | −3.7% |
| 90th | $39,740 | +12.5% |
| Mean | $30,660 | −13.2% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $35,120 | 270 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $33,120 | 770 | |
| 3 | Dubuque | $32,520 | 150 | |
| 4 | Waterloo | $32,050 | 170 | |
| 5 | Sioux City | $31,330 | 280 | |
| 6 | Davenport | $31,200 | 620 | |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $30,940 | 340 | |
| 8 | Ames | $29,900 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southeast Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $29,110 goes as far as $33,155 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,110as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,155US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,110 a year, 17.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,580 to $39,740 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 740 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Iowa City, at $35,120.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Southeast Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $29,110, or $13.99 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 $35,320, so pay in Southeast Iowa, IA is 17.6% 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 Southeast Iowa, IA earns more than $39,740 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,580 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 Iowa City, at $35,120 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 740 jobs in this occupation in Southeast 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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