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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Restaurant Cook in Iowa is $34,578 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.
However, a Restaurant Cook's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Restaurant Cook Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $37,115 | $3,093 | $714 | $18 |
| Average | $34,578 | $2,881 | $665 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,839 | $2,570 | $593 | $15 |
Sapp Bros., Inc. - Council Bluffs, IA
Noodles Council Bluffs - Council Bluffs, IA
P's Pizza House - Le Mars, IA
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - Waterloo, IA
A Restaurant Cook's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Restaurant Cooks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Restaurant Cook roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Restaurant Cook positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Restaurant Cook as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $43,222 | $21.0 | 25% |
| Healthcare | $41,493 | $20.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $41,493 | $20.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $41,493 | $20.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $38,035 | $18.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Restaurant Cook's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $37,115 | $3,093 | $714 | $18 |
| Average | $34,578 | $2,881 | $665 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,839 | $2,570 | $593 | $15 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Restaurant Cook job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
Sioux City, IA
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery | Sioux City, IA
Cook Position at Perkins Restaurant. CyHawk Hospitality, Inc., franchisee for Perkins Restaurant is now hiring cooks at our downtown Sioux City location. W... more
7 Days Ago
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
West Des Moines, IA
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery | West Des Moines, IA
Cook Position. Perkins Restaurant is now hiring cooks for our Perkins Restaurant in Altoona. Benefits of working for us include: supportive ownership that ... more
8 Days Ago
WesleyLife
Newton, IA
WesleyLife | Newton, IA
Cook Position. A day in the life of a cook. Be a part of our creative team dedicated to current culinary trends with a healthy flare. Expand your skills an... more
8 Days Ago
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - CyHawk Hospitality Inc.
Altoona, IA
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - CyHawk Hospitality Inc. | Altoona, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Perkins Restaurant is now hiring Cook. s. for our Perkins Restaurant in. Altoona. Stop in any time to apply at. 2621 Adve... more
9 Days Ago
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - CyHawk Hospitality Inc.
Sioux City, IA
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - CyHawk Hospitality Inc. | Sioux City, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Perkins Restaurant is now hiring Prep Cooks for our Perkins Restaurant in downtown Sioux City. Stop in any time to apply ... more
10 Days Ago
Perkins Restaurants
Sioux City, IA
Perkins Restaurants | Sioux City, IA
Perkins Restaurants - - Responsibilities: Prepares menu items per standards. Maintains kitchen cleanliness and safety. Operates and cleans kitchen equipmen... more
10 Days Ago
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