Food Preparation Workers pay in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
In Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro (OR), the median pay for food preparation workers is $18.62 an hour ($38,730 a year). About 6,870 people work in this job there.
That is 10% higher than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 3% higher than the Oregon median ($37,450).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro (OR)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.86 | $35,070 |
| 25% of workers | $17.69 | $36,800 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.62 | $38,730 |
| 75% of workers | $21.69 | $45,120 |
| 90% of workers | $24.17 | $50,280 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Oregon metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro (this page) | $38,730 | 6,870 |
| Bend | $38,010 | 760 |
| Salem | $37,300 | 990 |
| Corvallis | $36,510 | 330 |
| Eugene-Springfield | $36,160 | 980 |
| Albany | $35,860 | 260 |
| Medford | $35,440 | 510 |
| Grants Pass | $35,430 | 240 |
Oregon unemployment rate: 5.1% (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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro (OR)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,620 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,200 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,800 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,230 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,580 |
| Bakers | $43,440 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $38,120 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,690 |
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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.