Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Joplin, MO-KS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $31,070 a year ($14.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,400 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 11% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $34,900. There are 4.0 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Joplin, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $28,880 | $13.89 |
| Median | $31,070 | $14.94 |
| 75th percentile | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| Average (mean) | $32,640 | $15.69 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $2,589.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,294.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,195 |
| Weekly | $597.50 |
| Hourly | $14.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $36,200 | 5,410 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,080 | 4,470 |
| Lawrence, KS | $36,080 | 180 |
| Springfield, MO | $34,450 | 940 |
| Manhattan, KS | $34,100 | 310 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $34,070 | 210 |
| Columbia, MO | $33,900 | 550 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $33,880 | 200 |
| Topeka, KS | $33,200 | 480 |
| Wichita, KS | $31,850 | 1,370 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $31,840 | 340 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Joplin, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,010 | $13.95 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,730 | $13.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,370 | $17.00 |
| Bartender | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Dishwasher | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,750 | $14.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Joplin, MO-KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. 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, institution and cafeteria make in Joplin, MO-KS?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area is $31,070 a year, or $14.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Joplin, MO-KS?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn at least $38,400 a year. The top 25% earn $35,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Joplin, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $28,880 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Joplin, MO-KS?
About 350 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.