Cooks, Restaurant pay in Wichita
In Wichita (KS), the median pay for cooks, restaurant is $16.59 an hour ($34,510 a year). About 2,810 people work in this job there.
That is 8% lower than the U.S. median ($37,390). It is 2% lower than the Kansas median ($35,130).
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Wichita (KS)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $11.67 | $24,270 |
| 25% of workers | $14.38 | $29,910 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.59 | $34,510 |
| 75% of workers | $17.42 | $36,240 |
| 90% of workers | $20.34 | $42,310 |
Cooks, Restaurant pay in Kansas metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $35,140 | 690 |
| Wichita (this page) | $34,510 | 2,810 |
| Topeka | $34,450 | 770 |
| Manhattan | $32,280 | 520 |
Kansas unemployment rate: 3.8% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, restaurant
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +12.1% over ten years, much faster than average · about 218,600 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Wichita (KS)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Food Preparation Workers | $29,940 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,850 |
Other job titles for this job
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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.