Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Missouri
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Missouri earn a median of $34,900 a year ($16.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,700 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $37,450. Missouri ranks 43rd of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 4.5 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $29,850 | $14.35 |
| Median | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| 75th percentile | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| Average (mean) | $35,190 | $16.92 |
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 | $2,908.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,454.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,342.31 |
| Weekly | $671.15 |
| Hourly | $16.78 |
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 cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $36,200 | 5,410 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,080 | 4,470 |
| Springfield, MO | $34,450 | 940 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $34,070 | 210 |
| Columbia, MO | $33,900 | 550 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $33,880 | 200 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $31,840 | 340 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $31,070 | 350 |
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 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,890 | $14.37 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Cooks, All Other | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,490 | $18.50 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,400 | $14.13 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,390 | $14.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Bartender | $30,090 | $14.47 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,850 | $15.31 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Dishwasher | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,480 | $31.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Missouri is $34,900 a year, or $16.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Missouri?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Missouri earn at least $43,700 a year. The top 25% earn $38,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $29,850 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Missouri?
About 13,130 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.