Cooks, Restaurant Salary in St. Louis, MO-IL

In St. Louis, MO-IL, cooks working in restaurants typically earn a median annual salary of $36,450, which translates to about $17.53 per hour. This figure is slightly lower than the national median for this occupation at $36,830. When compared to the local household income, which stands at an area median of $78,225, it becomes apparent that cooks in St. Louis earn significantly less than the average household income. This disparity underscores a common trend where individual earnings within certain service-oriented professions lag behind broader economic benchmarks for households in the region.

Entry-level cooks in this region can expect to earn around $28,840 annually, which is at the 10th percentile of the salary spectrum, while those at the 25th percentile make approximately $30,660 per year. As experience and proficiency increase, salaries rise notably; seasoned cooks working at the 75th percentile earn about $40,070 annually, with top earners in the 90th percentile reaching up to $45,890. The differences in earnings between entry-level and experienced workers are driven by several factors including skill level, tenure, workplace size, and the ability to manage more complex kitchen responsibilities or work under high-pressure conditions. These variables collectively contribute to significant salary growth potential within this occupation over time.