Food Preparation Worker salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
Food Preparation Workers in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $28,860 a year ($13.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,550 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 8% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $31,510. There are 5.3 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Median | $28,860 | $13.87 |
| 75th percentile | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Average (mean) | $31,560 | $15.17 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,405 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,202.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,110 |
| Weekly | $555 |
| Hourly | $13.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,410 | 27,100 |
| Springfield, MO | $35,340 | 1,490 |
| Decatur, IL | $33,450 | 200 |
| Rockford, IL | $32,530 | 720 |
| Springfield, IL | $32,530 | 510 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $32,400 | 6,220 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $32,230 | 5,080 |
| Peoria, IL | $32,140 | 770 |
| Bloomington, IL | $32,030 | 580 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $31,850 | 660 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 620 |
| Kankakee, IL | $31,200 | 270 |
| Columbia, MO | $29,710 | 470 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $29,200 | 260 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $29,010 | 410 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $28,960 | 440 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $27,210 | 480 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,820 | $13.86 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,870 | $16.77 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,880 | $16.29 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,710 | $13.81 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,810 | $14.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Bartender | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,090 | $14.47 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Dishwasher | $29,590 | $14.23 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area is $28,860 a year, or $13.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area earn at least $36,550 a year. The top 25% earn $33,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,600 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
About 240 food preparation workers are employed in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.