SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Border Region of Texas
Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In Border Region of Texas, TX the median wage is $30,780.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Border Region of Texas, TX the median wage is $30,780. That is 12.9% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay ranges from under $21,550 at the tenth percentile to more than $46,180 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $25,670 to $38,610.
Employment stands at 260, or 5.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Wichita Falls records the highest median at $35,700. Of the 194 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 169th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,550 | −39.0% |
| 25th | $25,670 | −27.3% |
| Median (50th) | $30,780 | −12.9% |
| 75th | $38,610 | +9.3% |
| 90th | $46,180 | +30.7% |
| Mean | $32,660 | −7.5% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wichita Falls | $35,700 | 580 | |
| 2 | Houston | $35,020 | 16,240 | |
| 3 | Austin | $34,880 | 9,350 | |
| 4 | San Antonio | $34,390 | 7,910 | |
| 5 | College Station | $34,380 | 1,680 | |
| 6 | Midland | $33,200 | 500 | |
| 7 | Dallas | $30,740 | 21,700 | |
| 8 | Odessa | $30,550 | 470 | |
| 9 | Killeen | $30,300 | 910 | |
| 10 | Amarillo | $29,160 | 770 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Border Region of Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $30,780 goes as far as $31,699 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,699US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,780 a year, 12.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,550 to $46,180 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wichita Falls, at $35,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Border Region of Texas, TX?
The median annual wage is $30,780, or $14.80 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 $35,320, so pay in Border Region of Texas, TX is 12.9% 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 Border Region of Texas, TX earns more than $46,180 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,550 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 Wichita Falls, at $35,700 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 260 jobs in this occupation in Border Region of Texas, TX. 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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