Food Preparation Workers pay in Mississippi
In Mississippi, the median pay for food preparation workers is $12.61 an hour ($26,240 a year). About 7,870 people work in this job there.
That is 26% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). Mississippi ranks 50th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Mississippi
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $9.04 | $18,790 |
| 25% of workers | $10.30 | $21,430 |
| Half of workers (median) | $12.61 | $26,240 |
| 75% of workers | $14.47 | $30,100 |
| 90% of workers | $17.36 | $36,100 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Mississippi metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | $28,270 | 620 |
| Jackson | $27,200 | 1,220 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi | $24,370 | 1,440 |
Mississippi unemployment rate: 3.4% (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 Mississippi
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,610 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,670 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,560 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,390 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,180 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,180 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,250 |
| Bakers | $28,920 |
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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.