Food Industry jobs in Ames
The Food Industry involves producing and distributing food items. Workers ensure safe handling, preparation, and quality control. Knowledge of hygiene standards is critical.
There are 71 food industry jobs in Ames, IA. These food industry jobs salaries between $13.86 to $17.41 per hour.
Job title
Updated Oct 30, 2026
Job title
Ames, IA
Iowa
Job openings (Ames)
Cook
Ames
$15.84
per hour
Iowa
$15.99
per hour
Barista
Ames
$13.76
per hour
Iowa
$13.00
per hour
Server
Ames
$16.71
per hour
Iowa
$17.20
per hour
Dishwasher
Ames
$13.86
per hour
Iowa
$14.03
per hour
Line Cook
Ames
$17.41
per hour
Iowa
$16.82
per hour
Host/Hostess
Ames
$12.67
per hour
Iowa
$14.00
per hour
Job descriptions below are for educational purposes. Please refer to the employer's job description for complete details.
-
Cook
Review job description
Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Cooks prepare meals, manage kitchen operations, and maintain food safety standards. Culinary skills, creativity in menu development, and kitchen management experience are essential.
The top companies hiring Cook in Ames, IA are Perkins Restaurants & Bakery (3 jobs), Courtyard by Marriott Ames (2 jobs), and Red Lobster (1 job).
Cook jobs take 63 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 40% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
Ames
$15.84 per hourIowa
$15.99 per hourSkills
- Cooking
- Restaurant experience
- Food preparation
- Food service
- Food handling
-
Barista
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Baristas prepare beverages, maintain cleanliness, and provide excellent customer service. Experience with coffee machines, strong interpersonal skills, and an understanding of food safety standards are important.
The top companies hiring Barista in Ames, IA are Starbucks (4 jobs), 7Brew Coffee (2 jobs), and Hy-Vee, Inc. (1 job).
Barista jobs take 58 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 43% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
Ames
$13.76 per hourIowa
$13.00 per hourSkills
- Customer service
- Restaurant experience
- Serving
- Hospitality
- Barista experience
-
Server
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Servers provide table service, take orders, and ensure guest satisfaction. Experience in food and beverage service, strong communication skills, and attentiveness are key for excellent customer experiences.
The top companies hiring Server in Ames, IA are Perkins Restaurants & Bakery (2 jobs), Red Lobster (1 job), and Olive Garden (1 job).
Server jobs take 72 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 51% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
Ames
$16.71 per hourIowa
$17.20 per hourSkills
- Restaurant experience
- Customer service
- Serving
- Communication skills
- Hospitality
-
Dishwasher
Review job description
Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Dishwashers clean dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment, ensuring health standards are met. Ability to work efficiently under pressure, reliability, and maintaining clean workspaces are important traits.
The top companies hiring Dishwasher in Ames, IA are Red Lobster (1 job), Olive Garden (1 job), and Texas Roadhouse (1 job).
Dishwasher jobs take 47 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 48% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
Ames
$13.86 per hourIowa
$14.03 per hourSkills
- Dishwashing
- Restaurant experience
- Kitchen experience
- Food service
- Communication skills
-
Line Cook
Review job description
Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Line Cooks prepare food items, maintain kitchen stations, and follow recipes. Key skills include proficiency in culinary techniques, kitchen equipment use, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
The top companies hiring Line Cook in Ames, IA are Olive Garden (1 job), Applebee's (1 job), and Texas Roadhouse (1 job).
Line Cook jobs take 112 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 49% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
Ames
$17.41 per hourIowa
$16.82 per hourSkills
- Cooking
- Restaurant experience
- Kitchen experience
- Food preparation
- Food handling
-
Host/Hostess
Review job description
Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Hosts/Hostesses greet guests, manage reservations, and coordinate seating in dining establishments. A warm demeanor, multitasking abilities, and excellent communication skills are key for a welcoming atmosphere and smooth operations.
The top companies hiring Host/Hostess in Ames, IA are Olive Garden (1 job), Applebee's (1 job), and Texas Roadhouse (1 job).
Host/Hostess jobs take 74 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 49% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
Ames
$12.67 per hourIowa
$14.00 per hourSkills
- Customer service
- Restaurant experience
- Hotel experience
- Guest relations
- Serving
Frequently asked questions
How are the job titles and salaries chosen for this page?
Jobs listed on this page highlight the top 10 job titles with the most openings as of updated Oct 30, 2026. Salary estimates are taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months and are updated daily. Please refer to the employer's job description for specific salary information.
How does Cook pay in Ames compare to the state average?
Cook professionals in Ames earn an average of $15.84 per hour, compared with the average in Iowa of $15.99 per hour.
How many job openings are currently available in Ames?
There are 71 open jobs in Ames. Cook, Barista and Server are among those with the most openings at the moment.
How many openings are available by job title?
There are numerous job openings across all experience levels, with 23 Cook roles, 19 Barista roles and 15 Server openings currently listed.