Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $36,080 a year ($17.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,240 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 3% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $34,900. There are 4.1 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $30,950 | $14.88 |
| Median | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| 75th percentile | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| Average (mean) | $36,590 | $17.59 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,006.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,503.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,387.69 |
| Weekly | $693.85 |
| Hourly | $17.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $36,200 | 5,410 |
| Lawrence, KS | $36,080 | 180 |
| Springfield, MO | $34,450 | 940 |
| Manhattan, KS | $34,100 | 310 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $34,070 | 210 |
| Columbia, MO | $33,900 | 550 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $33,880 | 200 |
| Topeka, KS | $33,200 | 480 |
| Wichita, KS | $31,850 | 1,370 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $31,840 | 340 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $31,070 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,370 | $17.97 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,230 | $15.49 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,810 | $14.33 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| Bartender | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,280 | $14.08 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| Dishwasher | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,620 | $16.16 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,010 | $30.77 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,820 | $17.22 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $36,080 a year, or $17.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $46,240 a year. The top 25% earn $39,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $30,950 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 4,470 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.