Food Preparation Workers pay in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson
In Baltimore-Columbia-Towson (MD), the median pay for food preparation workers is $16.87 an hour ($35,080 a year). About 6,830 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($35,320). It is about the same as the Maryland median ($35,500).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson (MD)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.13 | $31,470 |
| 25% of workers | $16.12 | $33,540 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.87 | $35,080 |
| 75% of workers | $17.95 | $37,330 |
| 90% of workers | $22.49 | $46,780 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Maryland metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson (this page) | $35,080 | 6,830 |
| Lexington Park | $33,840 | 300 |
| Salisbury | $31,460 | 320 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | $31,290 | 560 |
Maryland unemployment rate: 4.1% (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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson (MD)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,090 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,420 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,540 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,290 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,710 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,460 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,290 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,310 |
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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.