SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI · 10 metro areas compared
At $33,680, median pay for Food Preparation Workers in Eau Claire, WI tracks the national median of $35,320 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $33,680, median pay for Food Preparation Workers in Eau Claire, WI tracks the national median of $35,320 closely. Pay ranges from under $25,860 at the tenth percentile to more than $43,390 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $28,020 to $37,160.
Employment stands at 580, or 6.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Madison records the highest median at $36,940. Of the 305 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 284th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,860 | −26.8% |
| 25th | $28,020 | −20.7% |
| Median (50th) | $33,680 | −4.6% |
| 75th | $37,160 | +5.2% |
| 90th | $43,390 | +22.8% |
| Mean | $33,190 | −6.0% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $36,940 | 2,330 | |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $35,470 | 4,500 | |
| 3 | La Crosse | $34,900 | 660 | |
| 4 | Kenosha | $34,840 | 490 | |
| 5 | Appleton | $34,060 | 650 | |
| 6 | Green Bay | $32,720 | 1,260 | |
| 7 | Oshkosh | $32,340 | 500 | |
| 8 | Janesville | $32,150 | 490 | |
| 9 | Fond du Lac | $31,720 | 320 | |
| 10 | Wausau | $31,720 | 440 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eau Claire run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $33,680 goes as far as $35,792 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$33,680as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,792US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $33,680 a year, 4.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,860 to $43,390 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 580 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Madison, at $36,940.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Eau Claire, WI?
The median annual wage is $33,680, or $16.19 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 Eau Claire, WI is 4.6% 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 Eau Claire, WI earns more than $43,390 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,860 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 Madison, at $36,940 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 580 jobs in this occupation in Eau Claire, WI. 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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