Food Preparation Workers pay in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the median pay for food preparation workers is $14.83 an hour ($30,840 a year). About 17,940 people work in this job there.
That is 13% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). Pennsylvania ranks 37th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Pennsylvania
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.75 | $22,360 |
| 25% of workers | $13.38 | $27,830 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.83 | $30,840 |
| 75% of workers | $17.35 | $36,080 |
| 90% of workers | $19.04 | $39,600 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Pennsylvania metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $34,560 | 10,780 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $33,430 | 1,360 |
| Lancaster | $31,580 | 940 |
| Reading | $31,580 | 590 |
| Gettysburg | $31,500 | 120 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $31,370 | 970 |
| State College | $31,210 | 260 |
| Lebanon | $31,200 | 180 |
| York-Hanover | $31,100 | 430 |
| Altoona | $30,300 | 270 |
| Pittsburgh | $30,120 | 3,290 |
| Chambersburg | $29,890 | 170 |
| Erie | $29,620 | 370 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $29,210 | 940 |
| Williamsport | $28,480 | 190 |
| Johnstown | $24,920 | 120 |
Pennsylvania unemployment rate: 3.7% (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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,570 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,580 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,540 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,310 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,300 |
| Bakers | $36,360 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,810 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $63,860 |
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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.