Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Southwest Missouri

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

Median annual salary $31,350 -14.9% vs national
Median hourly $15.07
10th percentile $26,860
90th percentile $39,080
Employed locally 1,270
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,860
    25th
    $27,940
    50th (median)
    $31,350
    75th
    $36,430
    90th
    $39,080

    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 Southwest Missouri

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food$27,790
    Waiters and Waitresses$26,920
    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
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$28,040

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southwest Missouri is $15.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.29 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Southwest Missouri is 14.9% 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 Southwest Missouri?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $26,860 per year in Southwest Missouri. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,940.