Cooks, Fast Food salary in Columbia, MO
Cooks, Fast Food in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $29,110 a year ($13.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,140 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 3% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $29,890. There are 23 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $30,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Median | $29,110 | $13.99 |
| 75th percentile | $29,850 | $14.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,140 | $16.89 |
| Average (mean) | $30,430 | $14.63 |
Half of cooks, fast food earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,425.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,212.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,119.62 |
| Weekly | $559.81 |
| Hourly | $13.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $30,860 | 17,700 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $30,170 | 13,850 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $29,620 | 1,020 |
| Springfield, MO | $29,190 | 4,880 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $28,820 | 1,070 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $28,600 | 1,320 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,600 | 2,030 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Bartender | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,860 | $14.35 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Dishwasher | $30,780 | $14.80 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $52,870 | $25.42 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, fast food make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Columbia, MO metro area is $29,110 a year, or $13.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $35,140 a year. The top 25% earn $29,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $28,600 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Columbia, MO?
About 2,470 cooks, fast food are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.