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Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

In the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $31,700 ($15.24/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $24,800/year and the 90th was $42,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,098 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,700$15.24 per hour · $2,642 monthly
10th Percentile$24,800$11.92/hr base
25th Percentile$29,500$14.18/hr base
75th Percentile$37,800$18.17/hr base
90th Percentile$42,100$20.24/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $32,000 a year leaves after tax in IowaFederal tax, FICA and Iowa withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$15 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $32,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $32,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Iowa publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Iowa.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$31,700
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,700
Net 85%
Fed 5%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,098After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,258Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,042Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,624 / yr
Iowa state income tax$553 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,425 / yr
Customize deductions in full Iowa calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$11.92/hr$2,067$24,800$21,742
25th Percentile$14.18/hr$2,458$29,500$25,414
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.24/hr$2,642$31,700$27,098
75th Percentile$18.17/hr$3,150$37,800$31,768
90th Percentile$20.24/hr$3,508$42,100$35,059

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,890Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.78.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio36.9%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Compare markets

Food Preparation Workers pay in other Iowa metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $31,700, which equates to approximately $2,642 per month or $15.24 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $15.24 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.92/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.24/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA span from $24,800 at the 10th percentile to $29,500 at the 25th, $37,800 at the 75th, and $42,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On a median gross salary of $31,700, an estimated $27,098 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,042 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,602 (an effective rate of 14.5%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On the median annual salary of $31,700, gross monthly income is $2,642. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,258 per month (or $1,042 every two weeks).

Is $31,700 a good salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

At $31,700, the median salary for food preparation workers is 36.9% of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA median household income ($85,890). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.7, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.