Food Preparation Worker salary in Wichita, KS
Food Preparation Workers in the Wichita, KS metro area earn a median of $29,940 a year ($14.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,500 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $30,280. There are 4.5 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $31,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Wichita, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,020 | $10.59 |
| 25th percentile | $27,990 | $13.46 |
| Median | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| 75th percentile | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| Average (mean) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
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 | $2,495 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,247.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,151.54 |
| Weekly | $575.77 |
| Hourly | $14.40 |
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 |
| 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 Wichita, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,850 | $15.31 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $25,580 | $12.30 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,250 | $13.58 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Bartender | $28,540 | $13.72 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,550 | $13.25 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Dishwasher | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $24,190 | $11.63 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Wichita, 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 Wichita, KS?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Wichita, KS metro area is $29,940 a year, or $14.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Wichita, KS?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Wichita, KS metro area earn at least $40,500 a year. The top 25% earn $34,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Wichita, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,020 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,990 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Wichita, KS?
About 1,380 food preparation workers are employed in the Wichita, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.