Food Preparation Worker salary in Missouri
Food Preparation Workers in Missouri earn a median of $31,510 a year ($15.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,440 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,320. Missouri ranks 35th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 4.6 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $29,220 | $14.05 |
| Median | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| 75th percentile | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| Average (mean) | $34,040 | $16.37 |
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 | $2,625.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,312.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,211.92 |
| Weekly | $605.96 |
| Hourly | $15.15 |
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 Missouri
| 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 |
| Columbia, MO | $29,710 | 470 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,890 | $14.37 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Cooks, All Other | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,490 | $18.50 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,400 | $14.13 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,390 | $14.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Bartender | $30,090 | $14.47 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,850 | $15.31 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Dishwasher | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,480 | $31.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Missouri is $31,510 a year, or $15.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Missouri?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Missouri earn at least $44,440 a year. The top 25% earn $37,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,220 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Missouri?
About 13,650 food preparation workers are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.