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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Jefferson City, MO

Cooks in Jefferson City, MO, earn an average annual salary of $32,210, which is notably below the national average of $37,700. This disparity is often influenced by local economic factors, including the cost of labor and the specific demands of the regional hospitality market. Understanding these local nuances is key for anyone considering a culinary career in this area.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $32,210 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 19.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $39,610.
  • Outlook: Jefferson City's restaurant cook job market features a local workforce of 580 individuals, with a jobs-per-thousand-workers rate of 7.441. The location quotient of 0.79 suggests a slightly lower concentration of these roles compared to the national average, indicating a stable but not exceptionally high demand within the immediate area.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$32,210

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Jefferson City, MO earns-14.6%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$15.5

Weekly

$619

Monthly

$2,684

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Jefferson City, MO

Salary progression for Cooks in Jefferson City, MO, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries, often reflected in the upper percentiles of the salary distribution.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$26,640$12.8
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$24,158$11.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$29,800$14.3
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$40,263$19.4
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$39,610$19

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$32,210

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$32,210

Adjusted for COL (100)

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Jefferson City's cost of living is precisely at the national average. This means the nominal salary of $32,210 for Cooks has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial baseline for residents.

Job Market Context

580

Total Jobs

7.441

Per 1K Jobs

0.79

Location Quotient

Below Average

Jefferson City, MO has 0.79x the national average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

The location quotient of 0.79 for Cooks in Jefferson City indicates that the profession is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while the job market is present and stable, it may not be as saturated as in larger metropolitan areas, potentially offering moderate opportunities for skilled individuals.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$30,920↓ 4%10 mi
Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,140↑ 3%10 mi
North Missouri nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$31,520↓ 2%10 mi
Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$32,870↑ 2%10 mi
Columbia, MO Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,290↑ 3%27 mi

Comparing salaries near Jefferson City, MO

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Jefferson City, MO?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Jefferson City, MO is $32,210. This typically ranges from $26,640 for entry-level positions to $39,610 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Jefferson City, MO is 14.6% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Jefferson City, MO a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $32,210 is below the national average, and the cost of living is at the national average, meaning less disposable income.

Is Jefferson City, MO a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Jefferson City, MO is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Jefferson City, MO?

Some top paying nearby cities include Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area ($30,920) and Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area.

How does Jefferson City's Cook salary compare to the national average?

Cooks in Jefferson City, MO, earn an average of $32,210 annually, which is approximately $5,490 less than the national average of $37,700.

What is the concentration of Cooks in Jefferson City compared to the rest of the US?

Jefferson City has a location quotient of 0.79 for Cooks, indicating that the profession is slightly less concentrated in this area than the national average.

How does the cost of living in Jefferson City affect the Cook salary?

Jefferson City's cost of living index is 100, which is the national average. Therefore, the $32,210 salary has average purchasing power within the city.

What is the total number of restaurant cooks employed in Jefferson City?

There are approximately 580 restaurant cooks employed in Jefferson City, MO.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 580 employees in the Jefferson City, MO area with a job density of 7.441 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Jefferson City, MO