Cooks, Short Order salary in Missouri
Cooks, Short Order in Missouri earn a median of $38,490 a year ($18.50 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $29,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,440 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $35,880. Missouri ranks 15th of 49 states for cooks, short order pay. The average (mean) salary is $37,390, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,810 | $14.33 |
| 25th percentile | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Median | $38,490 | $18.50 |
| 75th percentile | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Average (mean) | $37,390 | $17.97 |
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 | $3,207.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,603.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,480.38 |
| Weekly | $740.19 |
| Hourly | $18.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Short Order salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $38,490 | 910 |
| Columbia, MO | $35,260 | n/a |
| 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 |
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, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Cooks, All Other | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| 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 35-2015. 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 Missouri?
The median salary for cooks, short order in Missouri is $38,490 a year, or $18.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Missouri?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in Missouri earn at least $46,440 a year. The top 25% earn $38,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,810 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $32,150 or less.