What is the average hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers?

The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers is $13.97 per hour. This translates to approximately $29,060 per year working full-time.

What states pay Food Preparation Workers the most?

Salaries for Food Preparation Workers vary significantly by location. Use the state-by-state table above to see which states offer the highest median wages for this occupation.

What education is needed to become a food preparation worker?

Typical education required: No formal credential.

Food Preparation Workers Salary

Name: Food Preparation Workers Salary Data
Creator: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
License: https://www.bls.gov/bls/linksite.htm

Official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data - May 2024

Median Annual Salary

$29,060

$13.97 / hour

▲ 7% (Faster than average)

Salary Range

$15,402 - $49,983

10th to 90th percentile

Total Employed

885,620

workers nationally

🏛️ Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024 | Updated: Annual | Methodology

Food Preparation Workers Salary by Percentile

$15,402 $49,983

10th pct Median: $29,060 90th pct

Percentile	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
10th (Entry Level)	$15,402	$7.40
25th Percentile	$20,923	$10.06
50th (Median)	$29,060	$13.97
75th Percentile	$40,103	$19.28
90th (Top Earners)	$49,983	$24.03
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024

Top Paying States for Food Preparation Workers

#	State	Median Annual	Median Hourly
1	District of Columbia (DC)	$38,359	$18.44
2	California (CA)	$36,325	$17.46
3	Massachusetts (MA)	$35,453	$17.04
4	New York (NY)	$35,453	$17.04
5	New Jersey (NJ)	$34,872	$16.77
6	Connecticut (CT)	$34,291	$16.49
7	Maryland (MD)	$34,291	$16.49
8	Hawaii (HI)	$33,419	$16.07
9	Alaska (AK)	$32,547	$15.65
10	Washington (WA)	$32,547	$15.65
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

About Food Preparation Workers

Food Preparation Workers work in their specialized field applying expertise and skills to deliver value in their organization. This occupation is part of the food service sector of the U.S. economy.

Education Requirements

Typical Entry-Level Education: No formal credential

Job Outlook for Food Preparation Workers

Projected Growth

+7%

2022-2032

▲ 7% (Faster than average)

Annual Job Openings

1,505,900

projected annually

Outlook data based on BLS Employment Projections program. Growth rate is projected change in employment 2022-2032.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Food Preparation Workers make?

The median annual salary for Food Preparation Workers is $29,060 (BLS OEWS May 2024). Entry-level workers earn around $15,402, while the top 10% earn $49,983 or more.

What is the hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers?

Food Preparation Workers earn a median hourly wage of $13.97 per hour. Working full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks), this equals approximately $29,060 annually.

Is Food Preparation Workers a good-paying career?

With a median salary of $29,060, Food Preparation Workers represents a viable career path. Job outlook: Faster than average (7% growth, 2022-2032).

What education do Food Preparation Workers need?

Typical entry-level education: No formal credential. Requirements vary by employer and specialization - check with specific employers and BLS OOH for detailed requirements.