Food Preparation Workers pay in Tucson
In Tucson (AZ), the median pay for food preparation workers is $16.95 an hour ($35,260 a year). About 2,350 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 4% lower than the Arizona median ($36,750).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Tucson (AZ)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.81 | $30,800 |
| 25% of workers | $15.32 | $31,870 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.95 | $35,260 |
| 75% of workers | $17.73 | $36,880 |
| 90% of workers | $20.35 | $42,330 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Arizona metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $37,710 | 570 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $37,580 | 11,910 |
| Yuma | $35,390 | 330 |
| Tucson (this page) | $35,260 | 2,350 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | $35,180 | 370 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | $35,090 | 360 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | $33,610 | 170 |
Arizona unemployment rate: 4.9% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 Tucson (AZ)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,690 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,500 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,990 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,830 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,620 |
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.