How much does a food server make in Kansas City?
$33,620a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area. That is $16.16 an hour or $2,802 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.16
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 170 of 353
- Jobs in the area
- 2,260
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,690Median: $33,620Highest 10%: $38,370
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,690 | $13.79 | |
| 25th | $30,900 | $14.86 | |
| Median | $33,620 | $16.16 | |
| 75th | $35,480 | $17.06 | |
| 90th | $38,370 | $18.45 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for food servers.
| St. Louis, MO | $34,340 |
| Columbia, MO | $32,800 |
| Springfield, MO | $31,130 |
| Joplin, MO | $30,370 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $30,210 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $30,210 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $30,090 |
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 Preparation Worker | $32,230 |
| Bartender | $30,300 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $30,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in Kansas City?
The median hourly pay in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $16.16 ($33,620 a year).
Do food servers make more in Kansas City than the national average?
No: $33,620 against $35,360 nationally, 5% less.
How does Kansas City compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $31,840, so Kansas City pays 6% more.
Where does Kansas City rank for food server pay?
170 of 353 metro areas with data.
How much does a food server make starting out in Kansas City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,690 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,370 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.