SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Eastern Region of Texas
Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Eastern Region of Texas, TX is $28,120 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 20.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Eastern Region of Texas, TX is $28,120 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 20.4%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $24,240 and $34,400. The lowest tenth earn under $21,810, while the highest tenth earn more than $37,520.
The area has 740 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 6.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Wichita Falls records the highest median at $35,700. Of the 304 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 285th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,810 | −38.3% |
| 25th | $24,240 | −31.4% |
| Median (50th) | $28,120 | −20.4% |
| 75th | $34,400 | −2.6% |
| 90th | $37,520 | +6.2% |
| Mean | $29,820 | −15.6% |
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 Eastern Region of Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $28,120 goes as far as $28,960 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,120as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,960US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,120 a year, 20.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,810 to $37,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 740 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 Eastern Region of Texas, TX?
The median annual wage is $28,120, or $13.52 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 Eastern Region of Texas, TX is 20.4% 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 Eastern Region of Texas, TX earns more than $37,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,810 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 740 jobs in this occupation in Eastern 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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