Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Kansas City

In Kansas City (MO), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $17.35 an hour ($36,080 a year). About 4,470 people work in this job there.

$17.35Median hourly pay
$30,950–$39,260Middle half of workers, yearly
4,470People in this job in Kansas City (MO)

That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). It is 3% higher than the Missouri median ($34,900).

Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kansas City (MO)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$13.75$28,600
25% of workers$14.88$30,950
Half of workers (median)$17.35$36,080
75% of workers$18.88$39,260
90% of workers$22.23$46,240

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Missouri metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
St. Louis$36,2005,410
Kansas City (this page)$36,0804,470
Springfield$34,450940
St. Joseph$34,070210
Columbia$33,900550
Cape Girardeau$33,880200
Jefferson City$31,840340
Joplin$31,070350

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 Kansas City (MO)

JobMedian yearly pay
Fast Food and Counter Workers$29,560
Cooks, Fast Food$30,170
Cooks, Restaurant$37,370
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$39,210
Food Preparation Workers$32,230
Bakers$35,650

Other job titles for this job

Food Service SpecialistCulinary SpecialistSous ChefBoarding House CookCafeteria CookCamp CookDietary CookDinner CookGalley CookInstitutional CookKitchen CookMess Cook

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Source: 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.