SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Brownsville
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX · 10 metro areas compared
At $26,180, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Food Preparation Workers, 25.9% beneath the national figure of $35,320.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $26,180, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Food Preparation Workers, 25.9% beneath the national figure of $35,320. Pay ranges from under $19,950 at the tenth percentile to more than $38,060 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $22,560 to $31,010.
The area has 1,390 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.53 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Wichita Falls records the highest median at $35,700. Of the 311 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 295th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,950 | −43.5% |
| 25th | $22,560 | −36.1% |
| Median (50th) | $26,180 | −25.9% |
| 75th | $31,010 | −12.2% |
| 90th | $38,060 | +7.8% |
| Mean | $27,370 | −22.5% |
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 Brownsville run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $26,180 goes as far as $26,962 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 23.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,180as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$26,962US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,180 a year, 25.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $19,950 to $38,060 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,390 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 Brownsville, TX?
The median annual wage is $26,180, or $12.59 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 Brownsville, TX is 25.9% 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 Brownsville, TX earns more than $38,060 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $19,950 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 1,390 jobs in this occupation in Brownsville, 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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