How much does a food preparation worker make in Lawrence?
$31,350a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Lawrence, KS metro area. That is $15.07 an hour or $2,613 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.07
- Vs. national median
- -11%
- Rank among cities
- 231 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 350
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,130Median: $31,350Highest 10%: $38,630
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,130 | $10.64 | |
| 25th | $27,750 | $13.34 | |
| Median | $31,350 | $15.07 | |
| 75th | $34,980 | $16.82 | |
| 90th | $38,630 | $18.57 |
Other cities in Kansas
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Kansas City, MO | $32,230 |
| Topeka, KS | $30,300 |
| Wichita, KS | $29,940 |
| Manhattan, KS | $29,270 |
| Joplin, MO | $29,010 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $28,960 |
Related jobs in Lawrence
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $44,700 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,440 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $37,230 |
| Cook | $36,080 |
| Cook | $35,140 |
| Bartender | $29,980 |
| Cook | $29,700 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,320 |
| Dishwasher | $27,590 |
| Host and Hostess | $27,040 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Lawrence?
The median hourly pay in the Lawrence, KS metro area is $15.07 ($31,350 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Lawrence than the national average?
No: $31,350 against $35,320 nationally, 11% less.
How does Lawrence compare with the rest of Kansas?
The median in Kansas is $30,280, so Lawrence pays 4% more.
Where does Lawrence rank for food preparation worker pay?
231 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Lawrence?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,130 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,630 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.