Food Preparation Worker salary in Kansas
Food Preparation Workers in Kansas earn a median of $30,280 a year ($14.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,220 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,320. Kansas ranks 41st of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 5.3 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,880 | $11.00 |
| 25th percentile | $27,700 | $13.32 |
| Median | $30,280 | $14.56 |
| 75th percentile | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| Average (mean) | $31,460 | $15.13 |
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 | $2,523.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,261.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,164.62 |
| Weekly | $582.31 |
| Hourly | $14.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $32,230 | 5,080 |
| Lawrence, KS | $31,350 | 350 |
| Topeka, KS | $30,300 | 700 |
| Wichita, KS | $29,940 | 1,380 |
| Manhattan, KS | $29,270 | 290 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $29,010 | 410 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $28,960 | 440 |
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 |
Related jobs in Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,400 | $13.17 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Bartender | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,110 | $13.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,300 | $12.65 |
| Dishwasher | $28,060 | $13.49 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,390 | $28.07 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Kansas is $30,280 a year, or $14.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Kansas?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Kansas earn at least $39,220 a year. The top 25% earn $35,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,880 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,700 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Kansas?
About 7,680 food preparation workers are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.