Food Preparation Workers pay in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, the median pay for food preparation workers is $16.38 an hour ($34,070 a year). About 17,990 people work in this job there.
That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). Wisconsin ranks 28th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Wisconsin
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $12.54 | $26,080 |
| 25% of workers | $13.88 | $28,870 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.38 | $34,070 |
| 75% of workers | $18.24 | $37,940 |
| 90% of workers | $21.29 | $44,290 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Wisconsin metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Madison | $36,940 | 2,330 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $35,470 | 4,500 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | $34,900 | 660 |
| Kenosha | $34,840 | 490 |
| Appleton | $34,060 | 650 |
| Eau Claire | $33,680 | 580 |
| Green Bay | $32,720 | 1,260 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | $32,340 | 500 |
| Janesville-Beloit | $32,150 | 490 |
| Fond du Lac | $31,720 | 320 |
| Wausau | $31,720 | 440 |
| Sheboygan | $30,810 | 370 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | $30,460 | 500 |
Wisconsin unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,600 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,550 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,650 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,080 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,920 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,670 |
| Bakers | $37,310 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $45,980 |
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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.