Cooks, Restaurant salary in Wichita, KS
Cooks, Restaurant in the Wichita, KS metro area earn a median of $34,510 a year ($16.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,310 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $37,390. Pay here is 2% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $35,130. There are 9.1 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,370, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Wichita, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,270 | $11.67 |
| 25th percentile | $29,910 | $14.38 |
| Median | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| 75th percentile | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Average (mean) | $34,370 | $16.52 |
Half of cooks, restaurant 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 | $2,875.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,437.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,327.31 |
| Weekly | $663.65 |
| Hourly | $16.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Restaurant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $37,370 | 9,940 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $35,560 | 320 |
| Lawrence, KS | $35,140 | 690 |
| Topeka, KS | $34,450 | 770 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $33,930 | 700 |
| Manhattan, KS | $32,280 | 520 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, restaurant
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $46,800 |
| District of Columbia | $46,130 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 |
| Hawaii | $45,420 |
| Vermont | $45,390 |
| Maine | $45,290 |
| California | $44,880 |
| New York | $43,680 |
| Oregon | $43,100 |
| Colorado | $41,600 |
See Cooks, Restaurant pay in every state or the Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wichita, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,850 | $15.31 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $25,580 | $12.30 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,250 | $13.58 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Bartender | $28,540 | $13.72 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,550 | $13.25 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Dishwasher | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $24,190 | $11.63 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Wichita, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2014. 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, restaurant make in Wichita, KS?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Wichita, KS metro area is $34,510 a year, or $16.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Wichita, KS?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Wichita, KS metro area earn at least $42,310 a year. The top 25% earn $36,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Wichita, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,270 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $29,910 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Wichita, KS?
About 2,810 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Wichita, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.