Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Southeast Missouri

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

Median annual salary $28,200 -23.4% vs national
Median hourly $13.56
10th percentile $26,180
90th percentile $37,040
Employed locally 1,450
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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Southeast Missouri
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,180
    25th
    $27,280
    50th (median)
    $28,200
    75th
    $35,030
    90th
    $37,040

    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 Southeast Missouri

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food$27,520
    Waiters and Waitresses$25,900
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,220
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,800
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$28,530
    Food Preparation Workers$28,300

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southeast Missouri is $13.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.28 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Southeast Missouri is 23.4% 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 Southeast Missouri?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $26,180 per year in Southeast Missouri. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,280.