The median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Ames, IA is $43,870 (May 2024 BLS OES). The mean (average) is $49,600.
Pay spans roughly $30,550 at the 10th percentile to $72,070 at the 90th, so experience and specialisation move this figure a lot. At the median that is about $21.09 per hour. An estimated 80 people work as chefs and head cooks in Ames, IA.
| Median (annual) | $43,870 |
| Mean (annual) | $49,600 |
| Median (hourly) | $21.09 |
| 10th percentile | $30,550 |
| 90th percentile | $72,070 |
| Employment | 80 |
Updated 2026-07-23.
Source: BLS OES May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Checked 2026-07-23.