SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · United States
Food Preparation Workers
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers across the United States is $35,320 per year, measured over 893,600 jobs. The highest state median is in Washington, at $40,910.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Food Preparation Workers
Pay for this occupation varies by 73.2% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Washington pays $40,910 and Louisiana pays $23,620.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $40,910 | 19,510 | |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 | 3,970 | |
| 3 | California | $39,350 | 112,750 | |
| 4 | Colorado | $38,960 | 12,080 | |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 | 13,620 | |
| 6 | Hawaii | $38,160 | 5,950 | |
| 7 | Oregon | $37,450 | 11,860 | |
| 8 | North Dakota | $36,800 | 980 | |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $36,780 | 3,420 | |
| 10 | Arizona | $36,750 | 16,590 |
States with the most Food Preparation Workers jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 112,750 | $39,350 | |
| 2 | Texas | 81,280 | $30,650 | |
| 3 | Florida | 73,100 | $35,920 | |
| 4 | New York | 62,380 | $35,610 | |
| 5 | Illinois | 34,820 | $34,850 | |
| 6 | Louisiana | 30,920 | $23,620 | |
| 7 | Georgia | 26,450 | $35,250 | |
| 8 | North Carolina | 24,960 | $30,260 | |
| 9 | New Jersey | 24,730 | $35,540 | |
| 10 | Minnesota | 24,620 | $34,850 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului | $46,680 | 720 |
| 2 | San Jose | $45,580 | 5,930 |
| 3 | Seattle | $43,830 | 11,060 |
| 4 | Napa | $42,810 | 620 |
| 5 | Santa Rosa | $42,640 | 1,410 |
| 6 | Yakima | $41,750 | 600 |
| 7 | San Francisco | $41,000 | 14,470 |
| 8 | Amherst Town | $40,140 | 510 |
| 9 | Walla Walla | $40,030 | 210 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $39,770 | 44,930 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 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.