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Dubuque, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Dubuque, IA

In the Dubuque, IA metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $35,500 ($17.07/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $28,500/year and the 90th was $44,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,007 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,500$17.07 per hour · $2,958 monthly
10th Percentile$28,500$13.70/hr base
25th Percentile$30,200$14.52/hr base
75th Percentile$38,000$18.27/hr base
90th Percentile$44,200$21.25/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 $35,000 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$17 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $35,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $35,000 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

$35,500
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,500
Net 85%
Fed 6%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,007After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,501Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,154Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,080 / yr
Iowa state income tax$697 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,716 / yr
Customize deductions in full Iowa calculator

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Dubuque, 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 Cooks, Restaurant in the Dubuque, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$13.70/hr$2,375$28,500$24,649
25th Percentile$14.52/hr$2,517$30,200$25,950
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.07/hr$2,958$35,500$30,007
75th Percentile$18.27/hr$3,167$38,000$31,921
90th Percentile$21.25/hr$3,683$44,200$36,667

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Dubuque, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$77,630Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.312.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio45.7%of area median income

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

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Cooks, Restaurant pay in other Iowa metros

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Dubuque, IA

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Dubuque, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Dubuque, IA is $35,500, which equates to approximately $2,958 per month or $17.07 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Dubuque, IA?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Dubuque, IA is $17.07 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.70/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.25/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Dubuque, IA?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Dubuque, IA span from $28,500 at the 10th percentile to $30,200 at the 25th, $38,000 at the 75th, and $44,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Dubuque, IA?

On a median gross salary of $35,500, an estimated $30,007 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,154 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,493 (an effective rate of 15.5%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Dubuque, IA?

On the median annual salary of $35,500, gross monthly income is $2,958. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,501 per month (or $1,154 every two weeks).

Is $35,500 a good salary in Dubuque, IA?

At $35,500, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 45.7% of the Dubuque, IA median household income ($77,630). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.3, making regional consumer goods and services 12.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.