Food Preparation Workers pay in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the median pay for food preparation workers is $17.09 an hour ($35,540 a year). About 24,730 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($35,320). New Jersey ranks 19th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in New Jersey
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.49 | $32,220 |
| 25% of workers | $16.12 | $33,530 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.09 | $35,540 |
| 75% of workers | $18.50 | $38,470 |
| 90% of workers | $22.15 | $46,070 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in New Jersey metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton | $35,950 | 1,190 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $35,810 | 1,340 |
| Vineland | $35,240 | 370 |
New Jersey unemployment rate: 4.3% (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 New Jersey
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,150 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,460 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,170 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,390 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $74,280 |
| Bakers | $36,960 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,520 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $38,540 |
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.