Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Central Missouri

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

Median annual salary $28,940 -21.4% vs national
Median hourly $13.91
10th percentile $25,670
90th percentile $39,160
Employed locally 2,010
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,670
    25th
    $27,270
    50th (median)
    $28,940
    75th
    $36,660
    90th
    $39,160

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in Central Missouri

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,630
    Waiters and Waitresses $25,580
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,230
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,570
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $29,250
    Food Preparation Workers $27,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Central Missouri?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Central Missouri is $13.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.16 or more per hour.

    Is Central Missouri above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Central Missouri is 21.4% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Central Missouri?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $25,670 per year in Central Missouri. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,270.