Food Preparation Workers Salary in Southwest Missouri

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $28,100 -17.9% vs national
Median hourly $13.51
10th percentile $26,140
90th percentile $35,710
Employed locally 560
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Southwest Missouri
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,140
    25th
    $26,390
    50th (median)
    $28,100
    75th
    $32,040
    90th
    $35,710

    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

    Related occupations in Southwest Missouri

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,790
    Waiters and Waitresses $26,920
    Cooks, Restaurant $31,350
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,530
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,900
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $29,910

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Southwest Missouri?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Southwest Missouri is $13.51, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.41 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest Missouri above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Southwest Missouri 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 Southwest Missouri?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,140 per year in Southwest Missouri. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,390.