Food Preparation Workers salary in Ames, IA
The median food preparation workers in Ames, IA earns $29,900 a year, 15% below the US median. After tax that is roughly $2,089 a month.
- 10th percentile
- $26,580
- 25th percentile
- $28,500
- Median percentile
- $29,900
- 75th percentile
- $36,720
- 90th percentile
- $39,100
Based on 140 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
$25,068 take-home a year
| Gross pay | $29,900 |
| Federal income tax | −$1,408 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,287 |
| Iowa income tax (approx.) | −$1,136 |
| Monthly take-home | $2,089 |
| Every two weeks | $964 |
Does it go far here?
$33,660Median pay in Ames, IA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 88.8 vs 100).
48%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($1,000 a month, Census ACS).
Top-paying jobs in Ames, IA
All food preparation workers salaries · Take-home pay in Iowa