SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Kansas
Kansas nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
At $26,350, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Cooks, Short Order, 26.6% beneath the national figure of $35,880.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $26,350, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Cooks, Short Order, 26.6% beneath the national figure of $35,880. Pay ranges from under $23,350 at the tenth percentile to more than $34,290 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $23,350 to $28,890.
Within the state, Topeka records the highest median at $29,180. Of the 486 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 476th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,350 | −34.9% |
| 25th | $23,350 | −34.9% |
| Median (50th) | $26,350 | −26.6% |
| 75th | $28,890 | −19.5% |
| 90th | $34,290 | −4.4% |
| Mean | $27,300 | −23.9% |
Other metro areas in Kansas
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kansas run 9.9% below the national average, so the median of $26,350 goes as far as $29,245 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,350as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,245US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,350 a year, 26.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,350 to $34,290 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Topeka, at $29,180.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Kansas, KS?
The median annual wage is $26,350, or $12.67 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,880, so pay in Kansas, KS is 26.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Kansas, KS earns more than $34,290 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,350 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Topeka, at $29,180 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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