SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in St. Louis, MO-IL

Cooks in the St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $37,590. This figure is remarkably close to the national average of $37,700, indicating a stable compensation landscape. Local economic factors and the specific demand within the region's culinary sector likely contribute to this near-parity.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $37,590 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 37.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $45,890.
  • Outlook: The St. Louis culinary job market demonstrates a healthy presence for Cooks, with a total local workforce of 13,910 individuals. The Location Quotient of 1.1 suggests that this profession is slightly more concentrated in St. Louis than the national average, implying a steady demand for skilled cooks within the area's diverse dining establishments.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$37,590

The average Cooks, Restaurant in St. Louis, MO-IL earns-0.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$18.1

Weekly

$723

Monthly

$3,133

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in St. Louis, MO-IL

Career progression for Cooks in St. Louis typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks or those with specialized culinary skills can command substantially higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify the career advancement opportunities available within the profession.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$28,840$13.9
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$28,193$13.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$36,450$17.5
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$46,988$22.6
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$45,890$22.1

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$37,590

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$37,590

Adjusted for COL (100)

With an average annual salary of $37,590 and a Cost of Living Index of 100 (which is the national average), the nominal income for a Cook in St. Louis, MO-IL holds its purchasing power directly in line with the rest of the country. This means that what you earn as a cook in St. Louis will generally buy the same amount of goods and services as it would nationally.

Job Market Context

13,910

Total Jobs

10.386

Per 1K Jobs

1.1

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.10, St. Louis, MO-IL has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant roles compared to the national norm.

The Location Quotient of 1.1 for Cooks in St. Louis indicates a slightly higher concentration of this profession compared to the national average. This suggests a robust and perhaps slightly more competitive job market for cooks in the area, with more opportunities available relative to the general workforce size.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Springfield, IL Cooks, Restaurant Salary$35,350↓ 6%84 mi
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL Cooks, Restaurant Salary$32,220↓ 14%97 mi

Comparing salaries near St. Louis, MO-IL

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in St. Louis, MO-IL?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in St. Louis, MO-IL is $37,590. This typically ranges from $28,840 for entry-level positions to $45,890 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in St. Louis, MO-IL is 0.3% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is St. Louis, MO-IL a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.The average salary of $37,590 is nearly identical to the national average, and the Cost of Living Index is also at the national average of 100.

Is St. Louis, MO-IL a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in St. Louis, MO-IL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near St. Louis, MO-IL?

Some top paying nearby cities include Springfield, IL ($35,350) and Cape Girardeau, MO-IL.

What is the average salary for a Cook in St. Louis, MO-IL?

The average annual salary for a Cook in St. Louis, MO-IL is $37,590.

How does the St. Louis Cook salary compare to the national average?

The average salary in St. Louis ($37,590) is very close to the national average ($37,700).

Is the job market for Cooks strong in St. Louis?

Yes, the Location Quotient of 1.1 indicates a slightly higher concentration of cooks than the national average, suggesting steady demand.

How does the Cost of Living in St. Louis affect a Cook's salary?

The Cost of Living Index is 100, meaning it's the national average. Therefore, the $37,590 salary has the same purchasing power in St. Louis as the national average salary does nationally.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 13,910 employees in the St. Louis, MO-IL area with a job density of 10.386 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 St. Louis, MO-IL