SOC 35-9099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other — Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 5 metro areas compared
At $33,040, median pay for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Pennsylvania tracks the national median of $35,840 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $33,040, median pay for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Pennsylvania tracks the national median of $35,840 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $28,780 and $36,440. The lowest tenth earn under $23,590, while the highest tenth earn more than $42,860.
Employment stands at 730, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 44 states with published data for this occupation, Pennsylvania ranks 25th by median wage. Allentown leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,360. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 744th of 778 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,590 | −34.2% |
| 25th | $28,780 | −19.7% |
| Median (50th) | $33,040 | −7.8% |
| 75th | $36,440 | +1.7% |
| 90th | $42,860 | +19.6% |
| Mean | $33,380 | −6.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allentown | $36,360 | 60 | |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $34,190 | 930 | |
| 3 | Harrisburg | $33,660 | 30 | |
| 4 | Pittsburgh | $32,290 | 140 | |
| 5 | Reading | $28,910 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $33,040 goes as far as $33,852 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$33,040as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,852US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $33,040 a year, 7.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,590 to $42,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 730 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 25th of 44 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Allentown, at $36,360.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage is $33,040, or $15.89 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,840, so pay in Pennsylvania is 7.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Pennsylvania earns more than $42,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,590 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Allentown, at $36,360 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 730 jobs in this occupation in Pennsylvania. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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