Cape Girardeau, MO-IL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

In the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $30,000 ($14.42/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,900/year and the 90th was $38,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,945 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 86.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$30,000$14.42 per hour · $2,500 monthly
10th Percentile$26,900$12.93/hr base
25th Percentile$26,900$12.93/hr base
75th Percentile$32,600$15.67/hr base
90th Percentile$38,700$18.61/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$30,000
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$30,000
Net 83%
Fed 5%
IL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,945After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,079Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$959Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,420 / yr
Illinois state income tax$1,340 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,295 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$12.93/hr$2,242$26,900$22,575
25th Percentile$12.93/hr$2,242$26,900$22,575
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.42/hr$2,500$30,000$24,945
75th Percentile$15.67/hr$2,717$32,600$26,905
90th Percentile$18.61/hr$3,225$38,700$31,505

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$66,759Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index86.113.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio44.9%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Illinois:

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL is $30,000, which equates to approximately $2,500 per month or $14.42 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL is $14.42 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.93/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.61/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL span from $26,900 at the 10th percentile to $26,900 at the 25th, $32,600 at the 75th, and $38,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

On a median gross salary of $30,000, an estimated $24,945 lands in net take-home pay per year ($959 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,055 (an effective rate of 16.9%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

On the median annual salary of $30,000, gross monthly income is $2,500. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,079 per month (or $959 every two weeks).

Is $30,000 a good salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

At $30,000, the median salary for food preparation workers is 44.9% of the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL median household income ($66,759). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 86.1, making regional consumer goods and services 13.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.