How much does a food preparation worker make in Joplin?
$29,010a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area. That is $13.95 an hour or $2,418 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.95
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 307 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 410
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,600Median: $29,010Highest 10%: $42,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,600 | $13.75 | |
| 25th | $28,600 | $13.75 | |
| Median | $29,010 | $13.95 | |
| 75th | $35,030 | $16.84 | |
| 90th | $42,600 | $20.48 |
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 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $29,200 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $28,960 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $28,860 |
Related jobs in Joplin
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $35,370 |
| Cook | $33,930 |
| Cook | $31,070 |
| Food Server | $30,370 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,750 |
| Dishwasher | $29,070 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,730 |
| Cook | $28,600 |
| Bartender | $28,600 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $28,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Joplin?
The median hourly pay in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area is $13.95 ($29,010 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Joplin than the national average?
No: $29,010 against $35,320 nationally, 18% less.
How does Joplin compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $31,510, so Joplin pays 8% less.
Where does Joplin rank for food preparation worker pay?
307 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Joplin?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,600 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,600 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.