High-paying Food Industry Jobs in Des Moines
The Food Industry involves producing and distributing food items. Workers ensure safe handling, preparation, and quality control. Knowledge of hygiene standards is critical.
The 456 food industry jobs listed below pay well, with salaries between $34,196 and $62,035 per year. Cook, Server and Barista are among the most popular high-paying roles in Des Moines, IA.
Job title
Updated Aug 08, 2026
Job title
Des Moines, IA
Iowa
Job openings (Des Moines)
Restaurant General Manager
Des Moines
$62,035
per year
Iowa
$61,208
per year
Server
Des Moines
$18.86
per hour
Iowa
$17.16
per hour
Food Service Associate
Des Moines
$18.52
per hour
Iowa
$17.15
per hour
Bartender
Des Moines
$17.77
per hour
Iowa
$14.52
per hour
Line Cook
Des Moines
$17.20
per hour
Iowa
$16.64
per hour
Cook
Des Moines
$16.44
per hour
Iowa
$15.90
per hour
Host/Hostess
Des Moines
$16.00
per hour
Iowa
$13.87
per hour
Food Service Worker
Des Moines
$15.34
per hour
Iowa
$15.68
per hour
Barista
Des Moines
$15.31
per hour
Iowa
$12.96
per hour
Dishwasher
Des Moines
$14.84
per hour
Iowa
$13.79
per hour
Job descriptions below are for educational purposes. Please refer to the employer's job description for complete details.
-
Restaurant General Manager
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Restaurant General Managers oversee operations, manage staff, and ensure customer satisfaction. Leadership skills, restaurant management experience, and financial acumen are essential. Knowledge of industry trends is advantageous.
The top companies hiring Restaurant General Manager in Des Moines, IA are Taco Bell (3 jobs), Firehouse Subs (1 job), and Bar Ocho (1 job).
Restaurant General Manager jobs take 81 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 3% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 14 jobsAverage pay
Des Moines
$62,035 per yearIowa
$61,208 per yearSkills
- Customer service
- Hospitality
- Leadership
- Food service
- Restaurant 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 Des Moines, IA are Dave & Buster's (2 jobs), First Hospitality (2 jobs), and Olive Garden (1 job).
Server jobs take 67 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 50% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 79 jobsAverage pay
Des Moines
$18.86 per hourIowa
$17.16 per hourSkills
- Restaurant experience
- Customer service
- Serving
- Communication skills
- Hospitality
-
Food Service Associate
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Food service associates assist with food preparation, serve meals and maintain cleanliness. Strong communication, teamwork and attention to food safety are essential in this role.
The top companies hiring Food Service Associate in Des Moines, IA are MercyOne (4 jobs), Des Moines Public Schools (1 job), and Polk County, IA (1 job).
Food Service Associate jobs take 32 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 40% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 18 jobsAverage pay
Des Moines
$18.52 per hourIowa
$17.15 per hourSkills
- Hospitality
- Customer service
- Restaurant experience
- Serving
- Communication skills
-
Bartender
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Bartenders prepare beverages, manage bar inventory, and engage customers. cocktail-making skills, customer service experience, and knowledge of health regulations are needed.
The top companies hiring Bartender in Des Moines, IA are Oak View Group (2 jobs), Olive Garden (1 job), and Dave & Buster's (1 job).
Bartender jobs take 87 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 53% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 44 jobsAverage pay
Des Moines
$17.77 per hourIowa
$14.52 per hourSkills
- Bartending
- Restaurant experience
- Hospitality
- Serving
- Communication skills
-
Line Cook
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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 Des Moines, IA are Olive Garden (1 job), Dave & Buster's (1 job), and Applebee's (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 42 jobsAverage pay
Des Moines
$17.20 per hourIowa
$16.64 per hourSkills
- Cooking
- Restaurant experience
- Kitchen experience
- Food preparation
- Food handling
-
Cook
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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 Des Moines, IA are HOPE MINISTRIES (3 jobs), Wingstop (2 jobs), and Sodexo (2 jobs).
Cook jobs take 63 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 40% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 85 jobsAverage pay
Des Moines
$16.44 per hourIowa
$15.90 per hourSkills
- Cooking
- Restaurant experience
- Food preparation
- Food service
- Food handling
-
Host/Hostess
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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 Des Moines, IA are Olive Garden (1 job), Applebee's (1 job), and Biaggis (1 job).
Host/Hostess jobs take 71 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 50% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 45 jobsAverage pay
Des Moines
$16.00 per hourIowa
$13.87 per hourSkills
- Customer service
- Restaurant experience
- Hotel experience
- Guest relations
- Serving
-
Food Service Worker
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Food Service Workers prepare meals, serve customers, and maintain kitchen cleanliness. Skills in food preparation, customer interaction, and adherence to health standards are essential.
The top companies hiring Food Service Worker in Des Moines, IA are Target (2 jobs), UnityPoint Health (2 jobs), and Hilton (1 job).
Food Service Worker jobs take 47 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 38% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 19 jobsAverage pay
Des Moines
$15.34 per hourIowa
$15.68 per hourSkills
- Supervising experience
- Hospitality
- Serving
- Guest services
- Restaurant experience
-
Barista
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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 Des Moines, IA are Starbucks (6 jobs), Scooter's Coffee (4 jobs), and 7Brew Coffee (3 jobs).
Barista jobs take 62 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 43% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 76 jobsAverage pay
Des Moines
$15.31 per hourIowa
$12.96 per hourSkills
- Customer service
- Restaurant experience
- Serving
- Hospitality
- Barista experience
-
Dishwasher
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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 Des Moines, IA are Oak View Group (2 jobs), Olive Garden (1 job), and Biaggis (1 job).
Dishwasher jobs take 48 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 48% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 34 jobsAverage pay
Des Moines
$14.84 per hourIowa
$13.79 per hourSkills
- Dishwashing
- Restaurant experience
- Kitchen experience
- Food service
- Communication skills