Food Preparation Workers pay in Lakeland-Winter Haven
In Lakeland-Winter Haven (FL), the median pay for food preparation workers is $16.64 an hour ($34,610 a year). About 1,930 people work in this job there.
That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 4% lower than the Florida median ($35,920).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Lakeland-Winter Haven (FL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.00 | $27,040 |
| 25% of workers | $14.16 | $29,440 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.64 | $34,610 |
| 75% of workers | $17.45 | $36,300 |
| 90% of workers | $18.36 | $38,200 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Florida metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Naples-Marco Island | $38,190 | 1,610 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | $37,320 | 3,480 |
| Port St. Lucie | $37,000 | 1,590 |
| Jacksonville | $36,730 | 4,630 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | $36,680 | 1,050 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | $36,560 | 2,460 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $36,330 | 10,150 |
| Punta Gorda | $36,310 | 760 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $36,090 | 19,630 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | $35,870 | 2,050 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $35,600 | 10,300 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | $35,600 | 630 |
| Wildwood-The Villages | $35,410 | 500 |
| Gainesville | $35,050 | 1,320 |
| Homosassa Springs | $34,920 | 430 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $34,880 | 1,680 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | $34,850 | 2,540 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | $34,770 | 700 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven (this page) | $34,610 | 1,930 |
| Ocala | $34,560 | 960 |
| Tallahassee | $33,760 | 1,570 |
| Sebring | $32,330 | 230 |
Florida unemployment rate: 4.5% (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 Lakeland-Winter Haven (FL)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,050 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,600 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,250 |
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.