How much does a food preparation worker make in Kansas City?
$32,230a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area. That is $15.50 an hour or $2,686 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.50
- Vs. national median
- -9%
- Rank among cities
- 201 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 5,080
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,180Median: $32,230Highest 10%: $43,240
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,180 | $13.55 | |
| 25th | $29,820 | $14.34 | |
| Median | $32,230 | $15.50 | |
| 75th | $37,440 | $18.00 | |
| 90th | $43,240 | $20.79 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Springfield, MO | $35,340 |
| St. Louis, MO | $32,400 |
| Columbia, MO | $29,710 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $29,200 |
| Joplin, MO | $29,010 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $28,960 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $28,860 |
Related jobs in Kansas City
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $64,010 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,210 |
| Cook | $37,370 |
| Cook | $36,080 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $35,820 |
| Dishwasher | $34,800 |
| Food Server | $33,620 |
| Bartender | $30,300 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $30,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Kansas City?
The median hourly pay in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $15.50 ($32,230 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Kansas City than the national average?
No: $32,230 against $35,320 nationally, 9% less.
How does Kansas City compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $31,510, so Kansas City pays 2% more.
Where does Kansas City rank for food preparation worker pay?
201 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Kansas City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,180 or less a year; the top 10% make $43,240 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.