How much does a cook make in Lawrence?
$35,140a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lawrence, KS metro area. That is $16.89 an hour or $2,928 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.89
- Vs. national median
- -6%
- Rank among cities
- 256 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 690
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $26,430Median: $35,140Highest 10%: $42,130
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,430 | $12.71 | |
| 25th | $30,610 | $14.72 | |
| Median | $35,140 | $16.89 | |
| 75th | $36,990 | $17.78 | |
| 90th | $42,130 | $20.25 |
Other cities in Kansas
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Kansas City, MO | $37,370 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $35,560 |
| Wichita, KS | $34,510 |
| Topeka, KS | $34,450 |
| Joplin, MO | $33,930 |
| Manhattan, KS | $32,280 |
Related jobs in Lawrence
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $44,700 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,440 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $37,230 |
| Cook | $36,080 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,350 |
| Bartender | $29,980 |
| Cook | $29,700 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,320 |
| Dishwasher | $27,590 |
| Host and Hostess | $27,040 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Lawrence?
The median hourly pay in the Lawrence, KS metro area is $16.89 ($35,140 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lawrence than the national average?
No: $35,140 against $37,390 nationally, 6% less.
How does Lawrence compare with the rest of Kansas?
The median in Kansas is $35,130, so Lawrence pays 0% more.
Where does Lawrence rank for cook pay?
256 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lawrence?
The lowest-paid 10% make $26,430 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,130 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.