Food Preparation Worker salary in Lawrence, KS
Food Preparation Workers in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn a median of $31,350 a year ($15.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,630 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 4% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $30,280. There are 6.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,300, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Lawrence, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,130 | $10.64 |
| 25th percentile | $27,750 | $13.34 |
| Median | $31,350 | $15.07 |
| 75th percentile | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Average (mean) | $31,300 | $15.05 |
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 | $2,612.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,306.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,205.77 |
| Weekly | $602.88 |
| Hourly | $15.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $32,230 | 5,080 |
| 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 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lawrence, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,140 | $16.89 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,080 | $17.34 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Bartender | $29,980 | $14.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,620 | $10.88 |
| Dishwasher | $27,590 | $13.26 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $26,550 | $12.77 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $44,700 | $21.49 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lawrence, KS
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 Lawrence, KS?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Lawrence, KS metro area is $31,350 a year, or $15.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Lawrence, KS?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn at least $38,630 a year. The top 25% earn $34,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Lawrence, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,130 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,750 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Lawrence, KS?
About 350 food preparation workers are employed in the Lawrence, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.