Food Preparation Workers pay in Buffalo-Cheektowaga
In Buffalo-Cheektowaga (NY), the median pay for food preparation workers is $16.69 an hour ($34,700 a year). About 3,290 people work in this job there.
That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 3% lower than the New York median ($35,610).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga (NY)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.50 | $32,240 |
| 25% of workers | $15.50 | $32,240 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.69 | $34,700 |
| 75% of workers | $17.88 | $37,190 |
| 90% of workers | $19.24 | $40,020 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in New York metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $36,260 | 1,890 |
| Ithaca | $36,140 | 280 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $35,670 | 63,530 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | $35,550 | 1,660 |
| Binghamton | $35,370 | 550 |
| Kingston | $35,130 | 370 |
| Rochester | $35,020 | 2,870 |
| Syracuse | $35,020 | 1,520 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga (this page) | $34,700 | 3,290 |
| Glens Falls | $34,200 | 300 |
| Elmira | $34,010 | 160 |
| Utica-Rome | $33,250 | 760 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum | $32,390 | 210 |
New York 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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga (NY)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,560 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,060 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,140 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $34,730 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,190 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $41,860 |
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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.