Chef Salary in Iowa (2026)
$23.07 per hour · take-home ≈ $38,916/year ($3,243/month) for a single filer
Iowa ranks 49th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 24% below the national average. Of the 1,640 Chef jobs BLS counts in Iowa, the typical worker earns $47,990 a year — though pay ranges from $36,770 for newcomers to $74,730 at the top.
Chef pay range in Iowa
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $36,770 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $42,620 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $47,990 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $59,380 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $74,730 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,640 Chef jobs in Iowa (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Iowa
A median Chef salary of $47,990 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Iowa state income tax, a single filer keeps about $38,916 — an effective tax rate of 18.9%.
| Gross (median) | $47,990 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,579 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,671 |
| Iowa state income tax | −$1,824 |
| Take-home (annual) | $38,916 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,243 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Iowa paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Iowa?
- The median Chef salary in Iowa is $47,990 per year ($23.07 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $42,620 and $59,380.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Iowa?
- On the median salary of $47,990, a single filer in Iowa takes home about $38,916 per year ($3,243 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.9%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Iowa?
- BLS counts 1,640 Chef jobs in Iowa in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Iowa
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Iowa state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Iowa.