Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Waterloo, IA (2026)
Source: BLS OEWS · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · 780 employed
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Waterloo, IA is $34,390 per year. The middle 50% of Cooks, Restaurants earn between $29,030 and $36,950. Top earners in the 90th percentile make $46,760 or more. Entry-level positions typically start around $24,780. The median of $35,170 is below the mean, reflecting the wage distribution in this field.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Breakdown in Waterloo, IA
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-level) | $24,780 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,030 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $35,170 |
| Mean (Average) | $34,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,950 |
| 90th Percentile (Top earners) | $46,760 |
Related Jobs in Waterloo, IA
| Occupation | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $43,360 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $41,160 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,570 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,340 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $31,070 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,350 |
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 Waterloo, IA?
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Waterloo, IA is $34,390 per year, according to BLS OEWS.
What is the median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Waterloo, IA?
The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Waterloo, IA is $35,170 per year. Half of Cooks, Restaurants earn more than this and half earn less.
How much do entry-level Cooks, Restaurants make in Waterloo, IA?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurants in Waterloo, IA typically earn around $24,780 per year (10th percentile). Workers in the 25th percentile earn about $29,030.
What do the highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants earn in Waterloo, IA?
The highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants in Waterloo, IA earn $46,760 or more per year (90th percentile). The 75th percentile wage is $36,950.
How many Cooks, Restaurants work in Waterloo, IA?
There are approximately 780 Cooks, Restaurants employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA area, per BLS OEWS.