Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$37,300$17.93 per hour · $3,108 monthlyRun 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 Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant 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.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (IA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $14.42/hr | $2,500 | $30,000 | $25,797 |
| 25th Percentile | $15.24/hr | $2,642 | $31,700 | $27,098 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $17.93/hr | $3,108 | $37,300 | $31,385 |
| 75th Percentile | $19.18/hr | $3,325 | $39,900 | $33,375 |
| 90th Percentile | $22.36/hr | $3,875 | $46,500 | $38,428 |
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 $$37,300 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $37,300, which equates to approximately $3,108 per month or $17.93 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $17.93 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.42/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.36/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA span from $30,000 at the 10th percentile to $31,700 at the 25th, $39,900 at the 75th, and $46,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
On a median gross salary of $37,300, an estimated $31,385 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,207 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,915 (an effective rate of 15.9%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
On the median annual salary of $37,300, gross monthly income is $3,108. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,615 per month (or $1,207 every two weeks).
Is $37,300 a good salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
At $37,300, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 43.4% 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.