SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Joplin
Joplin, MO-KS · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Joplin, MO is $29,010 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 17.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Joplin, MO is $29,010 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 17.9%. Half of workers earn between $28,600 and $35,030. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $28,600 and the ninetieth at $42,600.
The area has 410 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.7 of every thousand jobs. Springfield leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $35,340. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 271st of 283 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,600 | −19.0% |
| 25th | $28,600 | −19.0% |
| Median (50th) | $29,010 | −17.9% |
| 75th | $35,030 | −0.8% |
| 90th | $42,600 | +20.6% |
| Mean | $32,860 | −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 | Jefferson City | $29,200 | 260 | |
| 6 | St. Joseph | $28,960 | 440 | |
| 7 | Cape Girardeau | $28,860 | 240 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Joplin run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $29,010 goes as far as $31,949 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,949US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,010 a year, 17.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,600 to $42,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 410 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 Joplin, MO?
The median annual wage is $29,010, or $13.95 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 Joplin, MO is 17.9% 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 Joplin, MO earns more than $42,600 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 410 jobs in this occupation in Joplin, 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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