Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$35,700$17.16 per hour · $2,975 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in St. Louis, MO-IL
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (IL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $14.28/hr | $2,475 | $29,700 | $24,719 |
| 25th Percentile | $16.15/hr | $2,800 | $33,600 | $27,659 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $17.16/hr | $2,975 | $35,700 | $29,243 |
| 75th Percentile | $20.58/hr | $3,567 | $42,800 | $34,596 |
| 90th Percentile | $21.25/hr | $3,683 | $44,200 | $35,652 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in St. Louis, MO-IL
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,700 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Illinois:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in St. Louis, MO-IL
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in St. Louis, MO-IL is $35,700, which equates to approximately $2,975 per month or $17.16 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in St. Louis, MO-IL is $17.16 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.28/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.25/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in St. Louis, MO-IL?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in St. Louis, MO-IL span from $29,700 at the 10th percentile to $33,600 at the 25th, $42,800 at the 75th, and $44,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in St. Louis, MO-IL?
On a median gross salary of $35,700, an estimated $29,243 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,125 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,457 (an effective rate of 18.1%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in St. Louis, MO-IL?
On the median annual salary of $35,700, gross monthly income is $2,975. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,437 per month (or $1,125 every two weeks).
Is $35,700 a good salary in St. Louis, MO-IL?
At $35,700, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 44.5% of the St. Louis, MO-IL median household income ($80,196). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.1, making regional consumer goods and services 4.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.