Cooks, Short Order salary in Columbia, MO
Cooks, Short Order in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $35,260 a year ($16.95 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,730 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $35,880. Pay here is 8% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $38,490. The average (mean) salary is $33,740, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| Median | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| 75th percentile | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,730 | $20.54 |
| Average (mean) | $33,740 | $16.22 |
Half of cooks, short order 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 | $2,938.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,469.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,356.15 |
| Weekly | $678.08 |
| Hourly | $16.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Short Order salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $38,490 | 910 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $29,810 | 480 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, short order
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $46,630 |
| Rhode Island | $46,250 |
| Massachusetts | $44,290 |
| Hawaii | $43,110 |
| California | $42,930 |
| Washington | $42,760 |
| Colorado | $42,450 |
| Connecticut | $42,450 |
| District of Columbia | $42,450 |
| New Jersey | $40,720 |
See Cooks, Short Order pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,110 | $13.99 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| 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 35-2015. 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, short order make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for cooks, short order in the Columbia, MO metro area is $35,260 a year, or $16.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $42,730 a year. The top 25% earn $35,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $29,300 or less.