SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Harrisburg
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Harrisburg, PA is $31,370 per year, 11.2% below the national median of $35,320.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Harrisburg, PA is $31,370 per year, 11.2% below the national median of $35,320. Half of workers earn between $28,490 and $35,470. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $23,530 and the ninetieth at $38,310.
Employment stands at 970, or 2.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $34,560. Of the 493 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 467th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,530 | −33.4% |
| 25th | $28,490 | −19.3% |
| Median (50th) | $31,370 | −11.2% |
| 75th | $35,470 | +0.4% |
| 90th | $38,310 | +8.5% |
| Mean | $32,070 | −9.2% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $34,560 | 10,780 | |
| 2 | Allentown | $33,430 | 1,360 | |
| 3 | Lancaster | $31,580 | 940 | |
| 4 | Reading | $31,580 | 590 | |
| 5 | Gettysburg | $31,500 | 120 | |
| 6 | State College | $31,210 | 260 | |
| 7 | Lebanon | $31,200 | 180 | |
| 8 | York | $31,100 | 430 | |
| 9 | Altoona | $30,300 | 270 | |
| 10 | Pittsburgh | $30,120 | 3,290 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Harrisburg run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $31,370 goes as far as $32,141 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$31,370as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,141US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $31,370 a year, 11.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,530 to $38,310 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 970 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $34,560.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Harrisburg, PA?
The median annual wage is $31,370, or $15.08 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 Harrisburg, PA is 11.2% 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 Harrisburg, PA earns more than $38,310 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,530 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 Philadelphia, at $34,560 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 970 jobs in this occupation in Harrisburg, PA. 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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