SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Kansas
Kansas nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
In Kansas, KS the median wage is $28,640.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Kansas, KS the median wage is $28,640. That is 18.9% lower than the national median of $35,320. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $26,380 and $31,980. The lowest tenth earn under $22,430, while the highest tenth earn more than $35,920.
Employment stands at 2,340, or 6.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Lawrence leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $31,350. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 462nd of 486 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,430 | −36.5% |
| 25th | $26,380 | −25.3% |
| Median (50th) | $28,640 | −18.9% |
| 75th | $31,980 | −9.5% |
| 90th | $35,920 | +1.7% |
| Mean | $29,070 | −17.7% |
Other metro areas in Kansas
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kansas run 9.9% below the national average, so the median of $28,640 goes as far as $31,787 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,640as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,787US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,640 a year, 18.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,430 to $35,920 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,340 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lawrence, at $31,350.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Kansas, KS?
The median annual wage is $28,640, or $13.77 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 Kansas, KS is 18.9% 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 Kansas, KS earns more than $35,920 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,430 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 Lawrence, at $31,350 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,340 jobs in this occupation in Kansas, KS. 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.
Explore related data