Food Preparation Workers pay in Maine
In Maine, the median pay for food preparation workers is $17.32 an hour ($36,030 a year). About 4,560 people work in this job there.
That is 2% higher than the U.S. median ($35,320). Maine ranks 14th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Maine
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.98 | $31,150 |
| 25% of workers | $16.23 | $33,760 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.32 | $36,030 |
| 75% of workers | $18.78 | $39,060 |
| 90% of workers | $22.31 | $46,400 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Maine metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | $37,260 | 1,900 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | $35,630 | 340 |
| Bangor | $34,970 | 450 |
Maine unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Maine
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,710 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,290 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,490 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $38,560 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,350 |
| Bakers | $37,390 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,010 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,360 |
Other job titles for this job
Open food preparation workers jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring food preparation workers? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.