Food Preparation Workers Salary in Jefferson City, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Jefferson City, MO

Median annual salary $28,110 -17.9% vs national
Median hourly $13.52
10th percentile $26,140
90th percentile $35,980
Employed locally 330
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Jefferson City, MO stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Food Preparation Workers
in
Jefferson City, MO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,140
    25th
    $26,800
    50th (median)
    $28,110
    75th
    $32,770
    90th
    $35,980

    Jefferson City economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,425 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 39% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 61% 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 Jefferson City, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,420
    Waiters and Waitresses $25,580
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,800
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,940
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,520
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $28,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Jefferson City?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Jefferson City, MO is $13.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.88 or more per hour.

    Is Jefferson City above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Jefferson City, MO is 17.9% 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 Jefferson City?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,140 per year in Jefferson City, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,800.