How much does a food preparation worker make?
The median food preparation worker in the United States earns $34,220 per year, about $16.45 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all food preparation workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 35-2021.
Food preparation worker salary range
Pay for food preparation workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $23,490 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $44,260. The average (mean) wage is $33,940, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23,490 | $11.29 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $28,740 | $13.82 | |
| Median (50th) | $34,220 | $16.45 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $37,540 | $18.05 | |
| 90th percentile | $44,260 | $21.28 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for food preparation workers (SOC 35-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Food preparation worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Food preparation workers earn the most in Washington at $38,950 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $22,900. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $38,950 | 21,090 |
| Colorado | $38,670 | 11,290 |
| District of Columbia | $38,440 | 3,320 |
| California | $38,150 | 98,950 |
| Massachusetts | $37,780 | 14,890 |
| Hawaii | $37,240 | 4,780 |
| Vermont | $37,030 | 1,260 |
| Alaska | $36,710 | 2,840 |
| Oregon | $36,390 | 13,890 |
| New York | $36,030 | 51,880 |
| Maine | $35,730 | 5,540 |
| North Dakota | $35,700 | 700 |
| Arizona | $35,480 | 15,500 |
| Rhode Island | $35,460 | 2,250 |
| Connecticut | $35,420 | 11,450 |
| Florida | $35,190 | 67,030 |
| New Hampshire | $35,170 | 3,520 |
| New Jersey | $34,910 | 25,170 |
| Minnesota | $34,820 | 23,720 |
| Wyoming | $34,380 | 1,580 |
| Maryland | $34,310 | 12,160 |
| Illinois | $34,180 | 29,320 |
| Nevada | $33,910 | 11,280 |
| Delaware | $33,280 | 2,480 |
| Georgia | $32,890 | 27,200 |
| Michigan | $32,810 | 14,380 |
| Wisconsin | $32,810 | 19,940 |
| Nebraska | $32,420 | 8,210 |
| Utah | $32,090 | 9,370 |
| Ohio | $31,590 | 19,290 |
| Virginia | $31,500 | 16,170 |
| Idaho | $31,440 | 4,530 |
| Montana | $31,420 | 2,700 |
| Missouri | $30,530 | 15,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,150 | 20,540 |
| Indiana | $30,090 | 15,340 |
| South Carolina | $30,050 | 14,500 |
| Iowa | $29,840 | 5,050 |
| South Dakota | $29,820 | 3,320 |
| Kansas | $29,410 | 7,520 |
| North Carolina | $29,410 | 24,420 |
| New Mexico | $29,350 | 8,330 |
| Tennessee | $28,980 | 22,530 |
| Texas | $28,660 | 106,040 |
| West Virginia | $27,610 | 2,830 |
| Arkansas | $27,330 | 5,860 |
| Oklahoma | $26,450 | 7,030 |
| Alabama | $25,510 | 14,540 |
| Kentucky | $24,520 | 15,500 |
| Mississippi | $23,190 | 7,490 |
| Louisiana | $22,900 | 35,130 |
State median wages for food preparation workers (SOC 35-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for food preparation workers
The BLS projects employment of food preparation workers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 908,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 881,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 135,700 openings a year for food preparation workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a food preparation worker
The typical entry-level education for food preparation workers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a food preparation worker earns
Employer, region, seniority, and in many cases tips shape take-home pay. Fine dining, large venues, and high cost cities lift the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $38,950) and the lowest (Louisiana, $22,900) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 888,770 people work as food preparation workers in the United States. At $34,220 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Food preparation worker salary FAQ
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a food preparation worker is $16.45. The middle half of food preparation workers earn between $13.82 and $18.05 per hour.
What is the highest food preparation worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of food preparation workers earn more than $44,260 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a food preparation worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a food preparation worker is $34,220. The average (mean) wage is $33,940, close to the median.
Is being a food preparation worker a well paid job?
At $34,220 a year, a food preparation worker earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 888,770 people work as food preparation workers in the United States.
Which state pays food preparation workers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for food preparation workers at $38,950 a year. Colorado ($38,670) and District of Columbia ($38,440) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a food preparation worker a good career?
Employment of food preparation workers is projected to shrink 3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 135,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a food preparation worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for food preparation workers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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