What is the median salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Des Moines?

According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $51,210.

How does Des Moines pay compare to the US median for Chefs and Head Cooks?

Local median pay is 18% below the national OEWS median of $62,470.

How does cost of living change what that wage buys?

BEA RPP for Des Moines is 91.7 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $51,210 has about the same purchasing power as $55,845 at US-average prices.

How current is this data?

Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.

Chefs and Head Cooks, Des Moines

$51,210

BLS OEWS median annual wage in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. Middle half of wages roughly $45,610 to $66,720.

BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer

vs US median: −18.0%
US median: $62,470
Metro RPP: 91.7
Middle half: $45,610 to $66,720
OEWS employment: 460
SOC: 35-1011

Chefs and Head Cooks in Des Moines pay a median $51,210 (May 2025), 18% below the US median of $62,470. At local prices (RPP 91.7), that median buys about what $55,845 buys at US-average prices.

Purchasing power

$51,210 in Des Moines buys about what $55,845 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 91.7, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 84.7 vs all-items 91.7 (US = 100, 2024).

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Chefs and Head Cooks in nearby metros

Metro	Median	Middle half	RPP
Des Moines	$51,210	$45,610 to $66,720	91.7
Birmingham	$62,760	$52,630 to $78,350	91.6
San Francisco	$68,970	$48,110 to $90,530	115.6
Tulsa	$54,930	$36,080 to $63,680	89.2

BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.

FAQ

What is the median salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Des Moines?: According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $51,210.
How does Des Moines pay compare to the US median for Chefs and Head Cooks?: Local median pay is 18% below the national OEWS median of $62,470.
How does cost of living change what that wage buys?: BEA RPP for Des Moines is 91.7 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $51,210 has about the same purchasing power as $55,845 at US-average prices.
How current is this data?: Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.

What this covers

Includes

BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)

Does not include

Federal, state, or local income taxes
Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand

Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.