Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Wichita, KS

In Wichita, KS, cooks working in restaurants typically earn a median annual salary of $31,350, which translates to approximately $15.07 per hour. This figure is significantly lower than the national median for the same occupation, which stands at $36,830 annually. When compared to the local area's median household income of $68,930, cooks in Wichita are earning considerably less than the average household. This discrepancy highlights a notable gap between what these workers earn and the broader economic standards within their community.

The earnings of restaurant cooks in Wichita vary significantly based on experience level. Entry-level cooks, represented by those at the 10th percentile, earn around $21,990 annually, whereas more experienced and higher-earning individuals, at the 90th percentile, can make up to approximately $39,990 a year. This disparity is driven by factors such as years of service, skill level, work environment complexity, and additional responsibilities assumed over time. As cooks gain experience and expertise, they tend to command higher wages, reflecting their increased value within the restaurant industry's workforce in Wichita.