Food Preparation Worker salary in Columbia, MO
Food Preparation Workers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $29,710 a year ($14.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,090 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 6% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $31,510. There are 4.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $32,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Median | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| 75th percentile | $35,160 | $16.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| Average (mean) | $32,430 | $15.59 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,475.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,237.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,142.69 |
| Weekly | $571.35 |
| Hourly | $14.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MO | $35,340 | 1,490 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $32,400 | 6,220 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $32,230 | 5,080 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $29,200 | 260 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $29,010 | 410 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $28,960 | 440 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $28,860 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,110 | $13.99 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Bartender | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,860 | $14.35 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Dishwasher | $30,780 | $14.80 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $52,870 | $25.42 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Columbia, MO metro area is $29,710 a year, or $14.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $38,090 a year. The top 25% earn $35,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,600 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Columbia, MO?
About 470 food preparation workers are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.