Food Preparation Worker salary in Springfield, MO
Food Preparation Workers in the Springfield, MO metro area earn a median of $35,340 a year ($16.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,620 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 12% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $31,510. There are 6.7 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Springfield, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $29,370 | $14.12 |
| Median | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| 75th percentile | $49,620 | $23.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,620 | $23.86 |
| Average (mean) | $37,730 | $18.14 |
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 | $2,945 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,472.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,359.23 |
| Weekly | $679.62 |
| Hourly | $16.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Springfield, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,100 | $16.87 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Bartender | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,410 | $14.14 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,660 | $13.78 |
| Dishwasher | $30,680 | $14.75 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,130 | $14.97 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $67,460 | $32.43 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $32,740 | $15.74 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Springfield, 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 Springfield, MO?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Springfield, MO metro area is $35,340 a year, or $16.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Springfield, MO?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Springfield, MO metro area earn at least $49,620 a year. The top 25% earn $49,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Springfield, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,370 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Springfield, MO?
About 1,490 food preparation workers are employed in the Springfield, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.