Food Preparation Workers pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for food preparation workers is $16.98 an hour ($35,320 a year). About 893,600 people work in this job there.
Pay range for food preparation workers in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $12.41 | $25,810 |
| 25% of workers | $14.40 | $29,950 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.98 | $35,320 |
| 75% of workers | $18.53 | $38,550 |
| 90% of workers | $21.80 | $45,340 |
Best-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 | 19,510 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 | 3,970 |
| California | $39,350 | 112,750 |
| Colorado | $38,960 | 12,080 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 | 13,620 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 | 5,950 |
| Oregon | $37,450 | 11,860 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 | 980 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 | 3,420 |
| Arizona | $36,750 | 16,590 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $27,930
- Alaska · $35,720
- Arizona · $36,750
- Arkansas · $27,660
- California · $39,350
- Colorado · $38,960
- Connecticut · $36,650
- Delaware · $35,930
- District of Columbia · $39,600
- Florida · $35,920
- Georgia · $35,250
- Hawaii · $38,160
- Idaho · $31,510
- Illinois · $34,850
- Indiana · $29,700
- Iowa · $30,360
- Kansas · $30,280
- Kentucky · $26,850
- Louisiana · $23,620
- Maine · $36,030
- Maryland · $35,500
- Massachusetts · $38,900
- Michigan · $31,180
- Minnesota · $34,850
- Mississippi · $26,240
- Missouri · $31,510
- Montana · $33,860
- Nebraska · $35,210
- Nevada · $33,460
- New Hampshire · $36,780
- New Jersey · $35,540
- New Mexico · $33,370
- New York · $35,610
- North Carolina · $30,260
- North Dakota · $36,800
- Ohio · $34,530
- Oklahoma · $28,540
- Oregon · $37,450
- Pennsylvania · $30,840
- Rhode Island · $35,470
- South Carolina · $32,180
- South Dakota · $30,430
- Tennessee · $28,700
- Texas · $30,650
- Utah · $33,540
- Vermont · $36,550
- Virginia · $34,900
- Washington · $40,910
- West Virginia · $28,360
- Wisconsin · $34,070
- Wyoming · $36,110
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,200 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,390 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,890 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $33,980 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,450 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,360 |
| Bakers | $37,160 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,470 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.