Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Iowa
Chefs and Head Cooks in Iowa earn a median of $47,990 a year, −23% compared with the U.S. median.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay
- $47,990
- vs. U.S. median
- −23% ($62,470)
- Rank among states
- 49 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 1,640
Pay range in Iowa
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,770; the top 10% earn over $74,730. Nationally the range is $37,900 to $98,560.
States ranked near Iowa
Similar jobs in Iowa
- Food Service Managers$66,700 median in Iowa
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$38,760 median in Iowa
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$47,200 median in Iowa
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$35,810 median in Iowa
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$37,750 median in Iowa
- Cooks, Restaurant$35,670 median in Iowa
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Iowa
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Iowa?
The median is $47,990 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,770 and the top 10% earn over $74,730. BLS OEWS May 2025.
Is Iowa a good state for chefs and head cooks?
On pay alone it ranks 49 of 51 (−23% vs. the national median of $62,470). Living costs are not included.