How much does a cook make in Kansas City?
$37,370a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area. That is $17.97 an hour or $3,114 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.97
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 109 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 9,940
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $30,560Median: $37,370Highest 10%: $46,550
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,560 | $14.69 | |
| 25th | $35,250 | $16.95 | |
| Median | $37,370 | $17.97 | |
| 75th | $41,690 | $20.04 | |
| 90th | $46,550 | $22.38 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| St. Louis, MO | $37,690 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $35,560 |
| Columbia, MO | $35,240 |
| Springfield, MO | $35,100 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $34,870 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $34,670 |
| Joplin, MO | $33,930 |
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 | $36,080 |
| 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 $17.97 ($37,370 a year).
Do cooks make more in Kansas City than the national average?
Yes: $37,370 against $37,390 nationally, 0% more.
How does Kansas City compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $36,940, so Kansas City pays 1% more.
Where does Kansas City rank for cook pay?
109 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Kansas City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,560 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,550 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.