How much does a cook make in Columbia?
$35,240a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Columbia, MO metro area. That is $16.94 an hour or $2,937 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.94
- Vs. national median
- -6%
- Rank among cities
- 252 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 990
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,750Median: $35,240Highest 10%: $44,420
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,750 | $13.82 | |
| 25th | $29,910 | $14.38 | |
| Median | $35,240 | $16.94 | |
| 75th | $37,060 | $17.82 | |
| 90th | $44,420 | $21.36 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| St. Louis, MO | $37,690 |
| Kansas City, MO | $37,370 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $35,560 |
| Springfield, MO | $35,100 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $34,870 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $34,670 |
| Joplin, MO | $33,930 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $52,870 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,060 |
| Cook | $35,260 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, MO metro area is $16.94 ($35,240 a year).
Do cooks make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $35,240 against $37,390 nationally, 6% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $36,940, so Columbia pays 5% less.
Where does Columbia rank for cook pay?
252 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,750 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,420 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.