Food Preparation Worker salary in Topeka, KS
Food Preparation Workers in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median of $30,300 a year ($14.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,210 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is about the same as the Kansas statewide median of $30,280. There are 6.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Topeka, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,420 | $11.26 |
| 25th percentile | $27,630 | $13.28 |
| Median | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| 75th percentile | $36,100 | $17.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,210 | $20.29 |
| Average (mean) | $32,170 | $15.47 |
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 | $2,525 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,262.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,165.38 |
| Weekly | $582.69 |
| Hourly | $14.57 |
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 |
| 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 Topeka, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,200 | $15.96 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,680 | $12.83 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,180 | $14.03 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Bartender | $27,860 | $13.40 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,290 | $10.72 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,570 | $12.77 |
| Dishwasher | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $55,030 | $26.46 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $26,670 | $12.82 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Topeka, 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 Topeka, KS?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Topeka, KS metro area is $30,300 a year, or $14.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Topeka, KS?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Topeka, KS metro area earn at least $42,210 a year. The top 25% earn $36,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Topeka, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,420 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,630 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Topeka, KS?
About 700 food preparation workers are employed in the Topeka, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.