Food Preparation Workers pay in Missouri
In Missouri, the median pay for food preparation workers is $15.15 an hour ($31,510 a year). About 13,650 people work in this job there.
That is 11% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). Missouri ranks 35th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Missouri
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.75 | $28,600 |
| 25% of workers | $14.05 | $29,220 |
| Half of workers (median) | $15.15 | $31,510 |
| 75% of workers | $17.81 | $37,050 |
| 90% of workers | $21.37 | $44,440 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Missouri metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield | $35,340 | 1,490 |
| St. Louis | $32,400 | 6,220 |
| Kansas City | $32,230 | 5,080 |
| Columbia | $29,710 | 470 |
| Jefferson City | $29,200 | 260 |
| Joplin | $29,010 | 410 |
| St. Joseph | $28,960 | 440 |
| Cape Girardeau | $28,860 | 240 |
Missouri unemployment rate: 3.5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,890 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,390 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,940 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,900 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,850 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,840 |
| Bakers | $35,130 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,860 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.