Food Preparation Worker Salary in Kansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Preparation Workers in Kansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kansas Median
$30,280
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.56
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $35,320
State Rank
#41 of 51
7,680 employed here

How much does a Food Preparation Worker make in Kansas?

Food Preparation Workers in Kansas take home a median of $30,280 annually — roughly $14.56 an hour — which runs 14% below the national median of $35,320.

Within Kansas, entry-level pay starts around $22,880 while the top 10% make $39,220 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,700 and $35,290 a year.

Food Preparation Worker salary range in Kansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$22,880$11.00
25th percentile (early career)$27,700$13.32
50th percentile (median)$30,280$14.56
75th percentile (experienced)$35,290$16.97
90th percentile (top earners)$39,220$18.86

How Kansas compares

Kansas ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories for Food Preparation Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$40,910
2District of Columbia$39,600
3California$39,350
4Colorado$38,960
5Massachusetts$38,900

Working as a Food Preparation Worker in Kansas

Nationally, about 894,000 people work as Food Preparation Workers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Kansas pay ($30,280) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Food Preparation Worker make in Kansas?
The median Food Preparation Worker salary in Kansas is $30,280 per year, or about $14.56 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,880 at the entry level to $39,220 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kansas pay compare to the national average?
Kansas pays Food Preparation Workers about 14% less than the national median of $35,320. Kansas ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kansas a good state for Food Preparation Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,280 a year. About 7,680 Food Preparation Workers are employed in Kansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Kansas include Anesthesiologist ($437,030), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($311,630), Psychiatrist ($278,100), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Food Preparation Worker salary report

Related salaries

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

$37,450
median pay · 441,000 employed

Food Server, Nonrestaurant

$35,360
median pay · 294,000 employed

Fast Food and Counter Workers

$31,200
median pay · 3,854,000 employed

Cook, All Other

$37,690
median pay · 19,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.