Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Missouri
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,650
- 25th Percentile — Junior$49,550
- 50th Percentile — Median$64,480
- 75th Percentile — Senior$76,520
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$91,500
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Missouri earn more than $64,480. The top 10% make $91,500 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,650.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Missouri: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Missouri ranks 23rd of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $66,640 per year (0.1% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 1,750 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Missouri — 0.9% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.46: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Missouri than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,650; the top 10% earn over $91,500.
- Hourly equivalent: $32.04 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Missouri, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($43,250).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Missouri
Key factors affecting compensation
Missouri's key industries are Healthcare, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $66,640 on average, placing the state 23rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a Missouri salary of $66,640 is roughly equivalent to $76,598 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nevada ($67,380), New Mexico ($67,080), Nebraska ($66,990) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Missouri
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $43,250/yr Missouri 35.1% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $38,620/yr Missouri 42.0% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $38,460/yr Missouri 42.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $38,170/yr Missouri 42.7% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $35,190/yr Missouri 47.2% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $33,870/yr Missouri 49.2% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $32,130/yr Missouri 51.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $30,990/yr Missouri 53.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Missouri?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Missouri is $66,640 per year (median $64,480), which is 0.1% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Missouri rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Missouri ranks 23rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in Missouri?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Missouri earn about $39,650 per year and the 25th percentile is $49,550.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Missouri?
About $32.04 per hour, based on the $66,640 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Missouri?
BLS counts 1,750 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Missouri (OEWS May 2025).
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