Food Preparation Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Food Preparation Workers Make?
Food Preparation Workers earn a median annual salary of $34,220 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $23,490 at the 10th percentile to $44,260 at the 90th percentile — a range of $20,770. The highest-paying state is Washington at $38,950.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23,490 |
| 25th percentile | $28,740 |
| Median (50th) | $34,220 |
| 75th percentile | $37,540 |
| 90th percentile | $44,260 |
Food Preparation Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $38,950 |
| Colorado | $38,670 |
| District of Columbia | $38,440 |
| California | $38,150 |
| Massachusetts | $37,780 |
| Hawaii | $37,240 |
| Vermont | $37,030 |
| Alaska | $36,710 |
| Oregon | $36,390 |
| New York | $36,030 |
| Maine | $35,730 |
| North Dakota | $35,700 |
| Arizona | $35,480 |
| Rhode Island | $35,460 |
| Connecticut | $35,420 |
| Florida | $35,190 |
| New Hampshire | $35,170 |
| New Jersey | $34,910 |
| Minnesota | $34,820 |
| Wyoming | $34,380 |
| Maryland | $34,310 |
| Illinois | $34,180 |
| Nevada | $33,910 |
| Delaware | $33,280 |
| Georgia | $32,890 |
| Michigan | $32,810 |
| Wisconsin | $32,810 |
| Nebraska | $32,420 |
| Utah | $32,090 |
| Ohio | $31,590 |
| Virginia | $31,500 |
| Idaho | $31,440 |
| Montana | $31,420 |
| Missouri | $30,530 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,150 |
| Indiana | $30,090 |
| South Carolina | $30,050 |
| Iowa | $29,840 |
| South Dakota | $29,820 |
| Kansas | $29,410 |
| North Carolina | $29,410 |
| New Mexico | $29,350 |
| Tennessee | $28,980 |
| Texas | $28,660 |
| West Virginia | $27,610 |
| Arkansas | $27,330 |
| Oklahoma | $26,450 |
| Alabama | $25,510 |
| Kentucky | $24,520 |
| Mississippi | $23,190 |
| Louisiana | $22,900 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Food Preparation Workers
Food Preparation 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) | ~$23,490 – $28,740 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$34,220 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$37,540 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $44,260+ |
How to Earn More as a Food Preparation Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Food Preparation Workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $44,120 — $9,900 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($37,540) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Food Preparation Worker Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Food Preparation Workerthis career | $34,220 |
| Food Service Manager | $65,310 |
| Chefs and Head Cook | $60,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor | $42,010 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,160 |
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SOC: 35-2021.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.