SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Lower West Mississippi
Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
At $21,130, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Cooks, Short Order, 41.1% beneath the national figure of $35,880.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $21,130, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Cooks, Short Order, 41.1% beneath the national figure of $35,880. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $18,360 and $24,820. The lowest tenth earn under $18,360, while the highest tenth earn more than $30,560.
Gulfport leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $28,520. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 276th of 280 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18,360 | −48.8% |
| 25th | $18,360 | −48.8% |
| Median (50th) | $21,130 | −41.1% |
| 75th | $24,820 | −30.8% |
| 90th | $30,560 | −14.8% |
| Mean | $22,370 | −37.7% |
Other metro areas in Mississippi
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lower West Mississippi run 13.0% below the national average, so the median of $21,130 goes as far as $24,287 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 32.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$21,130as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$24,287US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $21,130 a year, 41.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $18,360 to $30,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Gulfport, at $28,520.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Lower West Mississippi, MS?
The median annual wage is $21,130, or $10.16 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 Lower West Mississippi, MS is 41.1% 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 Lower West Mississippi, MS earns more than $30,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $18,360 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 Gulfport, at $28,520 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.
Explore related data