Cooks, Fast Food: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Missouri (2024)

How does Cooks, Fast Food salary grow from entry-level to senior in Missouri? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

22% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Missouri salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$26,170
$2,181/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$28,400
$2,367/mo
Senior (P90)
$31,830
$2,652/mo

Missouri vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$26,170
National: $24,545
+6.6%
Mid-Career (Median)
$28,400
National: $29,027
-2.2%
Senior (P90)
$31,830
National: $35,750
-11.0%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Cooks, Fast Food in Missouri spans from $26,170 at entry-level to $31,830 at senior level — a difference of $5,660 per year.

P10
$26K
P25
$27K
Median
$28K
P75
$29K
P90
$31K

Career Growth Premium: +22%

Senior Cooks, Fast Foods in Missouri earn $5,660 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$5,660
Monthly Difference
+$472
Hourly Difference
+$2.72
Growth Multiple
1.2x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Cooks, Fast Food salary increases with experience in Missouri, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $26,170 $2,181 $12.58
Early Career P25 $27,320 $2,277 $13.13
Mid-Career Median $28,400 $2,367 $13.65
Experienced P75 $29,350 $2,446 $14.11
Senior / Expert P90 $31,830 $2,652 $15.30
Key Insight

Cooks, Fast Food in Missouri has a moderate salary progression with a 22% growth from entry-level ($26,170) to senior ($31,830). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($28,400) and P90 ($31,830) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Missouri Compares to Other States

Where does Missouri rank for Cooks, Fast Food senior-level salaries? Compare Missouri's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$44,910
Entry: $28K
+56%
2
$44,790
Entry: $21K
+105%
3
$44,090
Entry: $29K
+48%
4
$43,550
Entry: $32K
+33%
5
$42,880
Entry: $33K
+28%
6
$42,490
Entry: $21K
+100%
7
$41,780
Entry: $28K
+46%
8
$40,600
Entry: $29K
+38%
9
$40,170
Entry: $32K
+24%
10
$38,420
Entry: $27K
+39%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Cooks, Fast Food?

Entry-level Cooks, Fast Foods (10th percentile) earn approximately $26,170 per year, or $2,180 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $27,320. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Cooks, Fast Food make?

Senior Cooks, Fast Foods (90th percentile) earn approximately $31,830 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $29,350. This represents a career premium of 22% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Cooks, Fast Food?

The career salary growth potential for Cooks, Fast Foods is 22%. Entry-level professionals start at $26,170, while senior-level can earn up to $31,830 — a difference of $5,660 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Cooks, Fast Foods?

The highest-paying state for senior Cooks, Fast Foods is Missouri, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $31,830 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Cooks, Fast Food salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Missouri from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Missouri.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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