LocalSalaryHub Salary Report
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa City, IA · Generated June 4, 2026
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Iowa City, IA $36,670/yr
$36,670
Mean: $35,360
~$28,603 est. take-home
$17.63
Based on 2,080 hrs/yr
100
100 = national avg
Salary Distribution
Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.
25th %
$30,320
Median
$36,670
75th %
$37,910
Median is in the 84th percentile of the typical range
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in other IA cities
Compare the same occupation across cities in IA.
About Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries in Iowa City, IA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $36,670 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $35,360, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Most cooks, institution and cafeteria in this area earn between $30,320 and $37,910. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.
That works out to roughly $17.63 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.
Career Outlook
This occupation is tracking close to the national average for job growth. Openings come from a mix of new positions and people retiring or changing careers, with regional variation depending on local industry mix.
Worth knowing: Staying current with industry certifications and picking up adjacent skills (data literacy, project management, or automation tools) is the most reliable way to earn above median in this field.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Jobs in Iowa City, IA
Median: $36,670/yr — browse openings that fit.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs on Indeed
Search thousands of openings
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria on LinkedIn
Network & apply
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria on ZipRecruiter
AI-matched positions
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria on Glassdoor
Salary + reviews
Boost your skills
Courses for Cooks,
External job listings · LocalSalaryHub may earn a referral fee
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a cooks, institution and cafeteria in Iowa City?▾
The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $36,670. The average (mean) is $35,360, which is higher because top earners pull it up.
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make per hour in Iowa City?▾
About $17.63/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.
What is the salary range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Iowa City?▾
The middle 50% earn between $30,320 and $37,910. Below $30,320 is typically entry-level; above $37,910 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.
Salary Conversion Table
How does $36,670 per year break down across different time periods?
| Period | Gross | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly | $36,670 | $28,603 |
| Monthly | $3,056 | $2,384 |
| Biweekly | $1,410 | $1,100 |
| Weekly | $705 | $550 |
| Hourly (40h/wk) | $17.63 | $13.75 |
| Hourly (35h/wk) | $20.15 | $15.72 |
| Hourly (30h/wk) | $23.51 | $18.34 |
| Daily (8h) | $141 | $110 |
Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.
Top 10 cities nationwide for cooks, institution and cafeteria, based on BLS median salary data.
Related Occupations in Iowa City
Similar roles in the same field, ranked by national average salary.
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
348 cities
Cooks, Restaurant
346 cities
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
315 cities
Food Preparation Workers
348 cities
Waiters and Waitresses
347 cities
Bartenders
347 cities
Dishwashers
347 cities
Fast Food and Counter Workers
348 cities
Get Salary Alerts
Be the first to know when Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries change in Iowa City, IA.
Free alerts · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime