Food Preparation Workers pay in Syracuse

In Syracuse (NY), the median pay for food preparation workers is $16.84 an hour ($35,020 a year). About 1,520 people work in this job there.

$16.84Median hourly pay
$32,810–$37,540Middle half of workers, yearly
1,520People in this job in Syracuse (NY)

That is about the same as the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 2% lower than the New York median ($35,610).

Pay range for food preparation workers in Syracuse (NY)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$15.50$32,240
25% of workers$15.78$32,810
Half of workers (median)$16.84$35,020
75% of workers$18.05$37,540
90% of workers$20.17$41,950

Food Preparation Workers pay in New York metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Albany-Schenectady-Troy$36,2601,890
Ithaca$36,140280
New York-Newark-Jersey City$35,67063,530
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh$35,5501,660
Binghamton$35,370550
Kingston$35,130370
Rochester$35,0202,870
Syracuse (this page)$35,0201,520
Buffalo-Cheektowaga$34,7003,290
Glens Falls$34,200300
Elmira$34,010160
Utica-Rome$33,250760
Watertown-Fort Drum$32,390210

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 Syracuse (NY)

JobMedian yearly pay
Fast Food and Counter Workers$33,940
Cooks, Restaurant$38,740
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$35,540

Other job titles for this job

Diet AideNutrition AideCulinary WorkerCafeteria AideCatererCaterer HelperChicken and Fish ButcherCold Meat CookCook AideCrew Mess AttendantDeli ClerkDeli Slicer

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Source: 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.