Food Preparation Workers Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

Median annual salary $28,300 -17.3% vs national
Median hourly $13.61
10th percentile $26,420
90th percentile $35,610
Employed locally 240
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,420
    25th
    $27,130
    50th (median)
    $28,300
    75th
    $33,450
    90th
    $35,610

    Cape Girardeau economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,267 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 42% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 58% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $39,360
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $37,290
    Vermont $37,030
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $36,540
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $36,460

    Related occupations in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $28,220
    Waiters and Waitresses $25,720
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,340
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,300
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,600
    Bartenders $27,030

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Cape Girardeau?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL is $13.61, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.57 or more per hour.

    Is Cape Girardeau above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL is 17.3% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Cape Girardeau?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,420 per year in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,130.