Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Missouri
In Missouri, the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $16.78 an hour ($34,900 a year). About 13,130 people work in this job there.
That is 7% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). Missouri ranks 43rd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Missouri
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.75 | $28,600 |
| 25% of workers | $14.35 | $29,850 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.78 | $34,900 |
| 75% of workers | $18.27 | $38,000 |
| 90% of workers | $21.01 | $43,700 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Missouri metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $36,200 | 5,410 |
| Kansas City | $36,080 | 4,470 |
| Springfield | $34,450 | 940 |
| St. Joseph | $34,070 | 210 |
| Columbia | $33,900 | 550 |
| Cape Girardeau | $33,880 | 200 |
| Jefferson City | $31,840 | 340 |
| Joplin | $31,070 | 350 |
Missouri unemployment rate: 3.5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 62,900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,890 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,390 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,940 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,400 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $31,510 |
| Bakers | $35,130 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,480 |
| Food Service Managers | $65,520 |
Other job titles for this job
Open cooks, institution and cafeteria jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring cooks, institution and cafeteria? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.