How much does a cook make in Wichita?
$34,510a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Wichita, KS metro area. That is $16.59 an hour or $2,876 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.59
- Vs. national median
- -8%
- Rank among cities
- 285 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 2,810
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,270Median: $34,510Highest 10%: $42,310
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,270 | $11.67 | |
| 25th | $29,910 | $14.38 | |
| Median | $34,510 | $16.59 | |
| 75th | $36,240 | $17.42 | |
| 90th | $42,310 | $20.34 |
Other cities in Kansas
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Kansas City, MO | $37,370 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $35,560 |
| Lawrence, KS | $35,140 |
| Topeka, KS | $34,450 |
| Joplin, MO | $33,930 |
| Manhattan, KS | $32,280 |
Related jobs in Wichita
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $49,440 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $37,300 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $36,420 |
| Cook | $31,850 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,940 |
| Dishwasher | $28,640 |
| Bartender | $28,540 |
| Cook | $28,250 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,870 |
| Host and Hostess | $27,550 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Wichita?
The median hourly pay in the Wichita, KS metro area is $16.59 ($34,510 a year).
Do cooks make more in Wichita than the national average?
No: $34,510 against $37,390 nationally, 8% less.
How does Wichita compare with the rest of Kansas?
The median in Kansas is $35,130, so Wichita pays 2% less.
Where does Wichita rank for cook pay?
285 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Wichita?
The lowest-paid 10% make $24,270 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,310 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.