Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Jefferson City, MO

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

Median annual salary $28,790 -21% vs national
Median hourly $13.84
10th percentile $25,830
90th percentile $39,280
Employed locally 380
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Jefferson City, MO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,830
    25th
    $26,690
    50th (median)
    $28,790
    75th
    $34,770
    90th
    $39,280

    Jefferson City economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,425 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 40% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 60% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $47,920
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $45,270
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $45,150
    Modesto, CA $43,740
    Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $41,550

    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
    Food Preparation Workers $28,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Jefferson City?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Jefferson City, MO is $13.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.74 or more per hour.

    Is Jefferson City above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Jefferson City, MO is 21% below the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Jefferson City?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $25,830 per year in Jefferson City, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,690.