Food Preparation Workers Salary in St. Joseph, MO-KS

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • St. Joseph, MO-KS

Median annual salary $28,580 -16.5% vs national
Median hourly $13.74
10th percentile $26,700
90th percentile $36,730
Employed locally 260
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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St. Joseph, MO-KS
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,700
    25th
    $27,250
    50th (median)
    $28,580
    75th
    $35,020
    90th
    $36,730

    St. Joseph economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,900 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 45% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 55% 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 St. Joseph, MO-KS

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food$28,780
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,940
    Waiters and Waitresses$26,190
    Cooks, Restaurant$32,670
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,240
    Bartenders$26,580

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in St. Joseph?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in St. Joseph, MO-KS is $13.74, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.06 or more per hour.

    Is St. Joseph above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in St. Joseph, MO-KS is 16.5% 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 St. Joseph?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,700 per year in St. Joseph, MO-KS. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,250.