Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Southwest Missouri

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $67,280 +10.3% vs national
Median hourly $32.35
10th percentile $36,730
90th percentile $86,940
Employed locally 60
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Southwest Missouri
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,730
    25th
    $48,990
    50th (median)
    $67,280
    75th
    $79,660
    90th
    $86,940

    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

    Related occupations in Southwest Missouri

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,790
    Waiters and Waitresses $26,920
    Cooks, Restaurant $31,350
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,530
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,900
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $29,910

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Southwest Missouri?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Southwest Missouri is $32.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.56 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest Missouri above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Southwest Missouri is 10.3% above 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 Southwest Missouri?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $36,730 per year in Southwest Missouri. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,990.