Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers Make?
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers earn a median annual salary of $34,830 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $24,040 at the 10th percentile to $47,360 at the 90th percentile — a range of $23,320. The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $62,110.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $24,040 |
| 25th percentile | $29,890 |
| Median (50th) | $34,830 |
| 75th percentile | $38,860 |
| 90th percentile | $47,360 |
Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaiitop | $62,110 |
| Colorado | $37,860 |
| Arizona | $37,040 |
| Indiana | $36,930 |
| Illinois | $36,590 |
| Oregon | $36,580 |
| Maryland | $36,480 |
| California | $36,220 |
| New Hampshire | $36,120 |
| Nevada | $35,670 |
| New Mexico | $35,540 |
| Wyoming | $35,130 |
| New Jersey | $35,110 |
| Wisconsin | $34,850 |
| Michigan | $34,320 |
| Florida | $33,960 |
| Washington | $33,930 |
| Nebraska | $33,820 |
| Connecticut | $33,710 |
| Iowa | $33,390 |
| New York | $33,350 |
| Utah | $32,940 |
| Massachusetts | $32,680 |
| Pennsylvania | $32,310 |
| Maine | $31,200 |
| Vermont | $30,960 |
| Kentucky | $30,440 |
| Virginia | $29,950 |
| Arkansas | $29,510 |
| Tennessee | $29,210 |
| Texas | $28,100 |
| Ohio | $27,600 |
| Delaware | $27,560 |
| Georgia | $27,390 |
| Montana | $27,330 |
| North Carolina | $27,320 |
| Mississippi | $25,810 |
| Missouri | $25,580 |
| Alabama | $22,730 |
| West Virginia | $22,610 |
| South Carolina | $22,020 |
| Louisiana | $21,550 |
| North Dakota | $21,300 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers
Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$24,040 – $29,890 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$34,830 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$38,860 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $47,360+ |
How to Earn More as a Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers in Boulder, CO earn $43,040 — $8,210 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($38,860) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 35-9099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.