Food Preparation Workers pay in Minnesota
In Minnesota, the median pay for food preparation workers is $16.76 an hour ($34,850 a year). About 24,620 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($35,320). Minnesota ranks 26th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Minnesota
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.01 | $29,150 |
| 25% of workers | $14.69 | $30,550 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.76 | $34,850 |
| 75% of workers | $18.39 | $38,240 |
| 90% of workers | $22.01 | $45,790 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Minnesota metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $35,470 | 790 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $35,100 | 16,810 |
| Duluth | $34,010 | 1,050 |
| St. Cloud | $33,540 | 890 |
| Mankato | $33,440 | 390 |
Minnesota unemployment rate: 4.4% (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 Minnesota
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,370 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,590 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,000 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,460 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,210 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,120 |
| Bakers | $40,210 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,600 |
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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.