SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Jefferson City
Jefferson City, MO · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Jefferson City, MO is $29,200 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 17.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Jefferson City, MO is $29,200 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 17.3%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $28,600 and $35,820. The lowest tenth earn under $28,600, while the highest tenth earn more than $43,420.
The area has 260 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.2 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Springfield records the highest median at $35,340. Of the 299 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 290th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,600 | −19.0% |
| 25th | $28,600 | −19.0% |
| Median (50th) | $29,200 | −17.3% |
| 75th | $35,820 | +1.4% |
| 90th | $43,420 | +22.9% |
| Mean | $32,850 | −7.0% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springfield | $35,340 | 1,490 | |
| 2 | St. Louis | $32,400 | 6,220 | |
| 3 | Kansas City | $32,230 | 5,080 | |
| 4 | Columbia | $29,710 | 470 | |
| 5 | Joplin | $29,010 | 410 | |
| 6 | St. Joseph | $28,960 | 440 | |
| 7 | Cape Girardeau | $28,860 | 240 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Jefferson City run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $29,200 goes as far as $32,159 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,159US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,200 a year, 17.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,600 to $43,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Springfield, at $35,340.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Jefferson City, MO?
The median annual wage is $29,200, or $14.04 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,320, so pay in Jefferson City, MO is 17.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Jefferson City, MO earns more than $43,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,600 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Springfield, at $35,340 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 260 jobs in this occupation in Jefferson City, MO. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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