Food preparation worker earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level food preparation worker earnings begin at:

$16.53 per hour

$34,390 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level food preparation worker earnings begin at:

$14.36 per hour

$29,870 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level food preparation worker earnings begin at:

$12.09 per hour

$25,150 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level food preparation worker earnings begin at:

$10.55 per hour

$21,940 per year

10th percentile

Starting level food preparation worker earnings begin at:

$9.49 per hour

$19,750 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Food preparation worker salary by state

State Name Average Salary
District of Columbia $29,100
Washington $28,210
Nevada $28,130
Rhode Island $27,910
Massachusetts $27,420
Hawaii $27,009
Oregon $26,770
New York $26,656
Connecticut $26,430
Minnesota $26,180
Vermont $25,840
Illinois $25,200
North Dakota $25,150
Alaska $24,558
California $24,402
New Hampshire $24,360
Maryland $24,220
Utah $24,030
Maine $23,870
Arizona $23,241
Florida $23,020
Texas $22,730
Nebraska $22,710
Wyoming $22,600
South Carolina $22,540
Michigan $22,530
New Jersey $22,520
Montana $22,240
Tennessee $22,160
Wisconsin $21,960
South Dakota $21,880
North Carolina $21,660
Virgin Islands, U.S. $21,500
New Mexico $21,460
Iowa $21,272
Colorado $21,233
Ohio $21,040
Delaware $20,880
Missouri $20,840
Virginia $20,640
Georgia $20,350
West Virginia $20,330
Pennsylvania $20,265
Kansas $20,248
Oklahoma $19,880
Arkansas $19,767
Idaho $19,715
Indiana $19,697
Alabama $19,643
Guam $19,420
Kentucky $19,301
Mississippi $18,540
Louisiana $18,350
Puerto Rico $17,830

How do food preparation worker salaries compare to similar careers?

Food preparation workers earn about the same as related careers in North Dakota. On average, they make less than butchers but more than bartenders.

Career Median Salary
Butcher salary $33K
Baker salary $30K
Dietetic technician salary $28K
Restaurant cook salary $28K
Food batchmaker salary $28K
Food preparation worker salary $25K
Barista salary $24K
Host and hostess salary $21K
Food server salary $19K
Bartender salary $20K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)