SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — North Missouri
North Missouri nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in North Missouri, MO is $28,600 per year, 19.0% below the national median of $35,320.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in North Missouri, MO is $28,600 per year, 19.0% below the national median of $35,320. Half of workers earn between $28,600 and $34,840. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $28,600 and the ninetieth at $39,010.
Employment stands at 680, or 6.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Springfield records the highest median at $35,340. Of the 320 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 316th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,600 | −19.0% |
| 25th | $28,600 | −19.0% |
| Median (50th) | $28,600 | −19.0% |
| 75th | $34,840 | −1.4% |
| 90th | $39,010 | +10.4% |
| Mean | $32,010 | −9.4% |
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 | Joplin | $29,010 | 410 | |
| 7 | St. Joseph | $28,960 | 440 | |
| 8 | Cape Girardeau | $28,860 | 240 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $28,600 goes as far as $31,498 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,600as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,498US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,600 a year, 19.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,600 to $39,010 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 680 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 North Missouri, MO?
The median annual wage is $28,600, or $13.75 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 North Missouri, MO is 19.0% 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 North Missouri, MO earns more than $39,010 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 680 jobs in this occupation in North Missouri, 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.
Explore related data