Kansas City, MO-KS · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Kansas City, MO-KS

In the Kansas City, MO-KS metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $31,100 ($14.95/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,500/year and the 90th was $40,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Kansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,215 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,100$14.95 per hour · $2,592 monthly
10th Percentile$23,500$11.30/hr base
25th Percentile$28,500$13.70/hr base
75th Percentile$36,300$17.45/hr base
90th Percentile$40,300$19.38/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

$31,100
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,100
Net 84%
Fed 5%
KS 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,215After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,185Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,008Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,552 / yr
Kansas state income tax$953 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,379 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Kansas City, MO-KS

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 Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (KS)
10th Percentile$11.30/hr$1,958$23,500$20,404
25th Percentile$13.70/hr$2,375$28,500$24,262
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.95/hr$2,592$31,100$26,215
75th Percentile$17.45/hr$3,025$36,300$30,121
90th Percentile$19.38/hr$3,358$40,300$33,112

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Kansas City, MO-KS

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,460Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.57.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio37.3%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Kansas City, MO-KS

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Kansas City, MO-KS?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Kansas City, MO-KS is $31,100, which equates to approximately $2,592 per month or $14.95 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Kansas City, MO-KS?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Kansas City, MO-KS is $14.95 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.30/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.38/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Kansas City, MO-KS?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Kansas City, MO-KS span from $23,500 at the 10th percentile to $28,500 at the 25th, $36,300 at the 75th, and $40,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Kansas City, MO-KS?

On a median gross salary of $31,100, an estimated $26,215 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,008 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,885 (an effective rate of 15.7%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Kansas City, MO-KS?

On the median annual salary of $31,100, gross monthly income is $2,592. After federal, FICA, and Kansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,185 per month (or $1,008 every two weeks).

Is $31,100 a good salary in Kansas City, MO-KS?

At $31,100, the median salary for food preparation workers is 37.3% of the Kansas City, MO-KS median household income ($83,460). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.5, making regional consumer goods and services 7.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.