Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Jefferson City, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Jefferson City, MO

Median annual salary $48,000 -21.3% vs national
Median hourly $23.08
10th percentile $34,870
90th percentile $73,610
Employed locally 30
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Jefferson City, MO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,870
    25th
    $34,870
    50th (median)
    $48,000
    75th
    $63,480
    90th
    $73,610

    Jefferson City economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,425 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 66% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 34% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $71,600
    Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $69,630
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $69,610
    Mobile, AL $66,440
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $65,450

    Related occupations in Jefferson City, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,420
    Waiters and Waitresses $25,580
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,800
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,940
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,520
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $28,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Jefferson City?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Jefferson City, MO is $23.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.39 or more per hour.

    Is Jefferson City above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Jefferson City, MO is 21.3% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Jefferson City?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $34,870 per year in Jefferson City, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,870.