How much does a cook make in St. Louis?
$37,690a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area. That is $18.12 an hour or $3,141 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.12
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among cities
- 101 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 12,970
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,690Median: $37,690Highest 10%: $47,230
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,690 | $14.27 | |
| 25th | $35,320 | $16.98 | |
| Median | $37,690 | $18.12 | |
| 75th | $45,050 | $21.66 | |
| 90th | $47,230 | $22.71 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Kansas City, MO | $37,370 |
| 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 St. Louis
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $64,480 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,520 |
| Cook | $38,490 |
| Cook | $36,200 |
| Food Server | $34,340 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,400 |
| Dishwasher | $32,180 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $31,930 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $31,260 |
| Bartender | $31,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in St. Louis?
The median hourly pay in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $18.12 ($37,690 a year).
Do cooks make more in St. Louis than the national average?
Yes: $37,690 against $37,390 nationally, 1% more.
How does St. Louis compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $36,940, so St. Louis pays 2% more.
Where does St. Louis rank for cook pay?
101 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in St. Louis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,690 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,230 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.