How much does a food preparation worker make in Columbia?
$29,710a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Columbia, MO metro area. That is $14.28 an hour or $2,476 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.28
- Vs. national median
- -16%
- Rank among cities
- 285 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 470
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,600Median: $29,710Highest 10%: $38,090
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,600 | $13.75 | |
| 25th | $28,600 | $13.75 | |
| Median | $29,710 | $14.28 | |
| 75th | $35,160 | $16.90 | |
| 90th | $38,090 | $18.31 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Springfield, MO | $35,340 |
| St. Louis, MO | $32,400 |
| Kansas City, MO | $32,230 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $29,200 |
| Joplin, MO | $29,010 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $28,960 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $28,860 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $52,870 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,060 |
| Cook | $35,260 |
| Cook | $35,240 |
| Cook | $33,900 |
| Food Server | $32,800 |
| Dishwasher | $30,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,860 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,390 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $29,250 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, MO metro area is $14.28 ($29,710 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $29,710 against $35,320 nationally, 16% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $31,510, so Columbia pays 6% less.
Where does Columbia rank for food preparation worker pay?
285 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,600 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,090 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.