Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Springfield, MO
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Springfield, MO metro area earn a median $34,450 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,179 take-home, or $2,432 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Springfield, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,954
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,136
- Medicare (1.45%)$500
- Missouri income tax$682
- Take-home pay$29,179
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay by experience in Springfield, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 | $24,753 | $2,063 |
| 25th percentile | $30,310 | $14.57 | $26,047 | $2,171 |
| Median (50th) | $34,450 | $16.56 | $29,179 | $2,432 |
| 75th percentile | $36,840 | $17.71 | $30,987 | $2,582 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,210 | $18.85 | $32,780 | $2,732 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,450 buys in Springfield, MO
Prices in Springfield, MO are 11.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 34% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cooks, institution and cafeteria's $29,179 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,939 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Springfield, MO has 1.5× the national concentration of cooks, institution and cafeteria jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria, adjusted for cost of living
Springfield, MO ranks #77 of 165 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $51,530 | $43,584 | $39,218 |
| 2 | Springfield, MA | $46,440 | $37,393 | $38,926 |
| 3 | Anchorage, AK | $48,290 | $40,981 | $38,874 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $41,120 | $35,220 | $38,758 |
| 5 | Burlington, VT | $47,390 | $39,104 | $38,737 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $45,330 | $38,603 | $38,470 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $51,880 | $42,029 | $38,062 |
| 8 | Providence, RI | $46,350 | $38,301 | $37,634 |
| 77 | Springfield, MO | $34,450 | $29,179 | $32,939 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 165 metros →
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries elsewhere in Missouri
- Kansas City, MO — $36,080
- Columbia, MO — $33,900
- St. Louis, MO — $36,200
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Springfield, MO?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in the Springfield, MO metro area is $34,450 a year, or about $16.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,310 and $36,840.
What is a cooks, institution and cafeteria’s take-home pay in Springfield, MO?
On the median $34,450 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $29,179 a year ($2,432 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $682 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is Springfield, MO a good place to work as a cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $37,450. Local prices are 11.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,939 would in a typical U.S. city. Springfield, MO ranks #77 of 165 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, institution and cafeteria afford rent in Springfield, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Springfield, MO is $868 a month ($1,074 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median cooks, institution and cafeteria’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Springfield, MO
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $36,450
- Food Preparation Worker — $35,340
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,100
- Dishwasher — $30,680
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,950
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,410
- Waiter and Waitress — $29,350
- Cooks, Fast Food — $29,190
- Bartender — $29,120
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,660