Food Preparation Workers Salary in Kansas

Food preparation workers in Kansas earn the most in Topeka (average $32,170 a year) and the least in Manhattan ($29,370), across the 4 Kansas metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the food preparation workers average at $31,460 and the median at $30,280 for 7,680 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $35,290.

Food Preparation Workers average salary by city in Kansas

Topeka$32,170
Lawrence$31,300
Wichita$31,200
Manhattan$29,370

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Topeka	$32,170	$30,300	$27,630	$27,020	89
Lawrence	$31,300	$31,350	$27,750	$26,366	90
Wichita	$31,200	$29,940	$27,990	$26,291	89
Manhattan	$29,370	$29,270	$25,940	$24,915	90

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Food Preparation Workers salary in other states

Food Preparation Workers salary by city and state

More about pay in Kansas

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2021.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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