Food Preparation Worker salary in Iowa
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A food preparation worker in Iowa earns a median of $30,360 a year ($14.60/hour equivalent), 14.0% below the national median of $35,320. Iowa ranks #40 of 51 states. About 4,170 people do this job in Iowa.
Take-home pay in Iowa
At the Iowa median, a single filer keeps about $26,072 a year after federal, FICA and Iowa taxes — $1,003 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the Iowa paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,167.69
- Federal income tax
- −$56.28
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$72.40
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$16.93
- Iowa income tax
- −$19.30
- Take-home pay
- $1,002.78
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $30,360
- Federal
- $1,463
- FICA
- $2,323
- State + local
- $502
- Net
- $26,072
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 3.8%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How Iowa compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $40,910 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| #3 | California | $39,350 |
| #4 | Colorado | $38,960 |
| #5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| #40 | Iowa | $30,360 |
| #49 | Kentucky | $26,850 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $26,240 |
| #51 | Louisiana | $23,620 |
See the national food preparation worker salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Food Preparation Workers (SOC 35-2021), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Iowa?
The median salary is $30,360 a year and the average is $32,080 (BLS May 2025).
Is Iowa a good state for food preparation workers?
Iowa ranks #40 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 14% below the national median of $35,320.
What is $30,360 after taxes in Iowa?
About $26,072 a year ($1,003 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.