salary$37,690 a year$18 an hour · median pay in the St. Louis, MO-IL area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$29,690per year
Top pay (top 10%)$47,230per year
Jobs in the area12,970people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford St. Louis?
Expensive. Rent of $1,297 a month takes 41.3% of the median restaurant cook salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Restaurant Cook pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a restaurant cook make in St. Louis, MO?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the St. Louis, MO-IL area is $37,690 a year ($18 an hour). Most earn between $29,690 and $47,230.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in St. Louis?
Typical rent of $1,297 a month takes 41.3% of the median restaurant cook salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area.