How much does a chef and head cook make in Columbia?
$52,870a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Columbia, MO metro area. That is $25.42 an hour or $4,406 a month.
- Hourly
- $25.42
- Vs. national median
- -15%
- Rank among cities
- 247 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,750Median: $52,870Highest 10%: $83,920
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,750 | $17.67 | |
| 25th | $45,190 | $21.73 | |
| Median | $52,870 | $25.42 | |
| 75th | $70,400 | $33.85 | |
| 90th | $83,920 | $40.35 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Springfield, MO | $67,460 |
| St. Louis, MO | $64,480 |
| Kansas City, MO | $64,010 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,060 |
| Cook | $35,260 |
| Cook | $35,240 |
| Cook | $33,900 |
| Food Server | $32,800 |
| Dishwasher | $30,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,860 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,710 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,390 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $29,250 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, MO metro area is $25.42 ($52,870 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $52,870 against $62,470 nationally, 15% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $64,480, so Columbia pays 18% less.
Where does Columbia rank for chef and head cook pay?
247 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,750 or less a year; the top 10% make $83,920 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.