Cook, Short Order Salary in Missouri (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cooks, Short Order in Missouri, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Missouri Median
$38,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $35,880
State Rank
#15 of 49
state estimate

How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Missouri?

A Cook, Short Order working in Missouri earns a median salary of $38,490 per year, or about $18.50 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $35,880 for this occupation.

Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $29,810 while the top 10% make $46,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,150 and $38,490 a year.

Cook, Short Order salary range in Missouri

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$29,810$14.33
25th percentile (early career)$32,150$15.46
50th percentile (median)$38,490$18.50
75th percentile (experienced)$38,490$18.50
90th percentile (top earners)$46,440$22.33

How Missouri compares

Missouri ranks 15th out of 49 states and territories for Cook, Short Order pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Arizona$46,630
2Rhode Island$46,250
3Massachusetts$44,290
4Hawaii$43,110
5California$42,930

Working as a Cook, Short Order in Missouri

Nationally, about 139,000 people work as Cooks, Short Order in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Missouri pay ($38,490) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Missouri?
The median Cook, Short Order salary in Missouri is $38,490 per year, or about $18.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,810 at the entry level to $46,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Cooks, Short Order about 7% more than the national median of $35,880. Missouri ranks 15th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Cooks, Short Order?
Yes on pay — Missouri pays above the national median for this occupation, at $38,490 a year. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cook, Short Order salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.