Paycheck Atlas

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Des Moines, IA

The median cooks, institution and cafeteria in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA earns $36,320 a year, 3% below the US median. After tax that is roughly $2,499 a month.

10th percentile
$28,200
25th percentile
$32,420
Median percentile
$36,320
75th percentile
$38,730
90th percentile
$45,290

Based on 1,670 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.

What you keep

$29,983 take-home a year
Gross pay$36,320
Federal income tax−$2,178
Social Security + Medicare−$2,778
Iowa income tax (approx.)−$1,380
Monthly take-home$2,499
Every two weeks$1,153

Does it go far here?

$39,607Median pay in Des Moines, IA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 91.7 vs 100).
46%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($1,150 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in Des Moines, IA

JobMedian pay
Chief Executives$290,870
Computer and Information Systems Managers$164,840
Financial Managers$154,140
Pharmacists$141,110
Managers, All Other$139,110
Human Resources Managers$138,140
Sales Managers$136,570
Marketing Managers$135,140

All cooks, institution and cafeteria salaries · Take-home pay in Iowa