How much does a cook make in Kansas City?
$36,080a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area. That is $17.35 an hour or $3,007 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.35
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 225 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 4,470
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,600Median: $36,080Highest 10%: $46,240
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,600 | $13.75 | |
| 25th | $30,950 | $14.88 | |
| Median | $36,080 | $17.35 | |
| 75th | $39,260 | $18.88 | |
| 90th | $46,240 | $22.23 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| St. Louis, MO | $36,200 |
| Springfield, MO | $34,450 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $34,070 |
| Columbia, MO | $33,900 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $33,880 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $31,840 |
| Joplin, MO | $31,070 |
Related jobs in Kansas City
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $64,010 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,210 |
| Cook | $37,370 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $35,820 |
| Dishwasher | $34,800 |
| Food Server | $33,620 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,230 |
| Bartender | $30,300 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $30,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Kansas City?
The median hourly pay in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $17.35 ($36,080 a year).
Do cooks make more in Kansas City than the national average?
No: $36,080 against $37,450 nationally, 4% less.
How does Kansas City compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $34,900, so Kansas City pays 3% more.
Where does Kansas City rank for cook pay?
225 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Kansas City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,600 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,240 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.