How much does a cook make in St. Louis?
$38,490a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area. That is $18.50 an hour or $3,208 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.50
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among cities
- 36 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 910
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,610Median: $38,490Highest 10%: $46,440
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,610 | $15.20 | |
| 25th | $37,900 | $18.22 | |
| Median | $38,490 | $18.50 | |
| 75th | $42,470 | $20.42 | |
| 90th | $46,440 | $22.33 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Columbia, MO | $35,260 |
| Kansas City, MO | $29,810 |
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 | $37,690 |
| 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 $18.50 ($38,490 a year).
Do cooks make more in St. Louis than the national average?
Yes: $38,490 against $35,880 nationally, 7% more.
How does St. Louis compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $38,490, so St. Louis pays 0% more.
Where does St. Louis rank for cook pay?
36 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in St. Louis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,610 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,440 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.