The median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Columbia, MO is $50,400 (May 2024 BLS OES). The mean (average) is $59,570.
Pay spans roughly $35,160 at the 10th percentile to $87,100 at the 90th, so experience and specialisation move this figure a lot. At the median that is about $24.23 per hour. An estimated 70 people work as chefs and head cooks in Columbia, MO.
| Median (annual) | $50,400 |
| Mean (annual) | $59,570 |
| Median (hourly) | $24.23 |
| 10th percentile | $35,160 |
| 90th percentile | $87,100 |
| Employment | 70 |
Updated 2026-07-23.
Source: BLS OES May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Checked 2026-07-23.