Food Preparation Workers Salary in Kansas City, MO-KS

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Kansas City, MO-KS

Median annual salary $30,920 -9.6% vs national
Median hourly $14.87
10th percentile $28,220
90th percentile $41,490
Employed locally 6,070
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Kansas City, MO-KS
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,220
    25th
    $29,080
    50th (median)
    $30,920
    75th
    $36,550
    90th
    $41,490

    Kansas City economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,927 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 38% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 62% 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 Kansas City, MO-KS

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,380
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,210
    Cooks, Fast Food $29,920
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,970
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,810
    Bartenders $27,010

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Kansas City, MO-KS is $14.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.79 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Kansas City, MO-KS is 9.6% 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 Kansas City?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $28,220 per year in Kansas City, MO-KS. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,080.