Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Ames, IA (2026)
Source: BLS OEWS · Ames, IA · 640 employed
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Ames, IA is $37,130 per year. The middle 50% of Cooks, Restaurants earn between $31,200 and $43,510. Top earners in the 90th percentile make $50,110 or more. Entry-level positions typically start around $29,100. The median of $36,310 is above the mean, reflecting the wage distribution in this field.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Breakdown in Ames, IA
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-level) | $29,100 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,200 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $36,310 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,130 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,510 |
| 90th Percentile (Top earners) | $50,110 |
Related Jobs in Ames, IA
| Occupation | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,600 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,190 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,040 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $33,500 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,700 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $31,530 |
Cooks, Restaurant Salaries in Other Cities
| City | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | $53,460 |
| San Jose, CA | $50,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $47,580 |
| Seattle, WA | $47,150 |
| Napa, CA | $47,070 |
| Portland, ME | $46,280 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $45,730 |
| Boston, MA | $45,720 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Ames, IA?
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Ames, IA is $37,130 per year, according to BLS OEWS.
What is the median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Ames, IA?
The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Ames, IA is $36,310 per year. Half of Cooks, Restaurants earn more than this and half earn less.
How much do entry-level Cooks, Restaurants make in Ames, IA?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurants in Ames, IA typically earn around $29,100 per year (10th percentile). Workers in the 25th percentile earn about $31,200.
What do the highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants earn in Ames, IA?
The highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants in Ames, IA earn $50,110 or more per year (90th percentile). The 75th percentile wage is $43,510.
How many Cooks, Restaurants work in Ames, IA?
There are approximately 640 Cooks, Restaurants employed in the Ames, IA area, per BLS OEWS.