Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in St. Joseph, MO-KS
Cooks in St. Joseph, MO-KS earn an average annual salary of $33,490, which is below the national average of $37,700. This localized pay disparity is often influenced by regional economic factors, the specific demand for culinary services within the area, and the overall cost of doing business for restaurants in St. Joseph.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $33,490 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 27.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $42,380.
- Outlook: The St. Joseph, MO-KS market for Cooks, Restaurant, while not exceptionally concentrated with a Location Quotient of 0.86, supports a local workforce of 430 individuals. This indicates a stable, albeit not rapidly expanding, demand for culinary professionals within the region, suggesting consistent employment opportunities for those in the field.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Restaurant in St. Joseph, MO-KS earns-11.2%below the national average.
$16.1
$644
$2,791
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for St. Joseph's cook salaries over the past four years is not provided, it is generally assumed that wages for restaurant cooks nationwide have seen incremental growth. This trend is typically driven by inflation, increasing operational costs for businesses, and a persistent need for skilled kitchen staff, which likely also applies to the St. Joseph market.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in St. Joseph, MO-KS
Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant in St. Joseph, MO-KS, like elsewhere, is significantly tied to experience and skill level. Entry-level positions typically command the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs with specialized culinary expertise and supervisory experience can expect to earn considerably more, often reflected in higher percentile earnings.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $27,170 | $13.1 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $25,118 | $12.1 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $32,670 | $15.7 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $41,863 | $20.1 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $42,380 | $20.4 |
Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$33,490
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$33,490
Adjusted for COL (100)
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, St. Joseph, MO-KS is perfectly aligned with the national average. This means the nominal salary of $33,490 for Cooks, Restaurant holds purchasing power equivalent to the national average, suggesting that while the salary is lower than the national average, the cost of essential goods and services remains comparable.
Job Market Context
430
Total Jobs
8.055
Per 1K Jobs
0.86
Location Quotient
St. Joseph, MO-KS has 0.86x 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 0.86 for Cooks, Restaurant in St. Joseph, MO-KS suggests that the profession is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This indicates that while there is a presence of these roles, the market is not oversaturated, potentially offering a balanced environment for job seekers and employers alike.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $37,590↑ 12% | 47 mi |
| Lawrence, KS Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $32,690↓ 2% | 60 mi |
| Topeka, KS Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $32,380↓ 3% | 68 mi |
Comparing salaries near St. Joseph, MO-KS
Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in St. Joseph, MO-KS is $33,490. This typically ranges from $27,170 for entry-level positions to $42,380 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in St. Joseph, MO-KS is 11.2% lower than the national median of $37,700.
Is St. Joseph, MO-KS a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?
No, St. Joseph, MO-KS is not a particularly lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurant compared to national averages.The average salary of $33,490 is notably lower than the national average of $37,700, and while the cost of living is average, the nominal pay does not offer a significant financial advantage.
Is St. Joseph, MO-KS a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?
The Cost of Living Index in St. Joseph, MO-KS is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near St. Joseph, MO-KS?
Some top paying nearby cities include Kansas City, MO-KS ($37,590) and Lawrence, KS.
How does the number of cooks in St. Joseph compare to the national average?
St. Joseph, MO-KS has 8.055 jobs per 1,000 workers for Cooks, Restaurant, which is slightly below the national average, indicated by a Location Quotient of 0.86.
What is the total number of restaurant cooks employed in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
There are approximately 430 Cooks, Restaurant employed within the St. Joseph, MO-KS metropolitan area.
Does experience impact a cook's salary in St. Joseph?
Yes, experience is a key factor in salary determination for cooks. More experienced individuals with advanced skills and potentially supervisory roles will command higher wages than entry-level cooks.
How does the cost of living in St. Joseph affect the value of a cook's salary?
The cost of living in St. Joseph is at the national average (100), meaning the $33,490 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average salary would in a national-average cost-of-living area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 430 employees in the St. Joseph, MO-KS area with a job density of 8.055 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in St. Joseph, MO-KS