Food Preparation Workers pay in St. Louis
In St. Louis (MO), the median pay for food preparation workers is $15.58 an hour ($32,400 a year). About 6,220 people work in this job there.
That is 8% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 3% higher than the Missouri median ($31,510).
Pay range for food preparation workers in St. Louis (MO)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.37 | $29,880 |
| 25% of workers | $14.98 | $31,160 |
| Half of workers (median) | $15.58 | $32,400 |
| 75% of workers | $17.81 | $37,050 |
| 90% of workers | $19.24 | $40,030 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Missouri metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield | $35,340 | 1,490 |
| St. Louis (this page) | $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 St. Louis (MO)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,260 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,860 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,690 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,930 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,200 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,340 |
| Bakers | $35,830 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,480 |
Other job titles for this job
Open food preparation workers jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring food preparation workers? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.