Food Preparation Worker salary in Manhattan, KS
Food Preparation Workers in the Manhattan, KS metro area earn a median of $29,270 a year ($14.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,520 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $30,280. There are 5.5 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Manhattan, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,360 | $10.27 |
| 25th percentile | $25,940 | $12.47 |
| Median | $29,270 | $14.07 |
| 75th percentile | $31,150 | $14.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Average (mean) | $29,370 | $14.12 |
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 | $2,439.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,219.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,125.77 |
| Weekly | $562.88 |
| Hourly | $14.07 |
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 |
| Lawrence, KS | $31,350 | 350 |
| Topeka, KS | $30,300 | 700 |
| Wichita, KS | $29,940 | 1,380 |
| 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 Manhattan, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $32,280 | $15.52 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,100 | $16.39 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,820 | $13.38 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,130 | $13.04 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $33,140 | $15.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Bartender | $27,160 | $13.06 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,240 | $12.62 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $21,770 | $10.47 |
| Dishwasher | $24,370 | $11.72 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $21,660 | $10.41 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,640 | $23.39 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, KS?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Manhattan, KS metro area is $29,270 a year, or $14.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Manhattan, KS?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Manhattan, KS metro area earn at least $36,520 a year. The top 25% earn $31,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Manhattan, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,360 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $25,940 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Manhattan, KS?
About 290 food preparation workers are employed in the Manhattan, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.