How much does a food preparation worker make in Jefferson City?
$29,200a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Jefferson City, MO metro area. That is $14.04 an hour or $2,433 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.04
- Vs. national median
- -17%
- Rank among cities
- 301 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 260
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,600Median: $29,200Highest 10%: $43,420
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,600 | $13.75 | |
| 25th | $28,600 | $13.75 | |
| Median | $29,200 | $14.04 | |
| 75th | $35,820 | $17.22 | |
| 90th | $43,420 | $20.88 |
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 |
| Columbia, MO | $29,710 |
| Joplin, MO | $29,010 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $28,960 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $28,860 |
Related jobs in Jefferson City
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $36,000 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $35,710 |
| Cook | $34,670 |
| Cook | $31,840 |
| Dishwasher | $30,860 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $30,280 |
| Food Server | $30,210 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,580 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,950 |
| Bartender | $28,630 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Jefferson City?
The median hourly pay in the Jefferson City, MO metro area is $14.04 ($29,200 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Jefferson City than the national average?
No: $29,200 against $35,320 nationally, 17% less.
How does Jefferson City compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $31,510, so Jefferson City pays 7% less.
Where does Jefferson City rank for food preparation worker pay?
301 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Jefferson City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,600 or less a year; the top 10% make $43,420 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.