SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — High Desert Utah
High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
In High Desert Utah, UT the median wage is $31,930.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In High Desert Utah, UT the median wage is $31,930. That is 9.6% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay ranges from under $26,440 at the tenth percentile to more than $48,210 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $28,690 to $39,730.
Employment stands at 820, or 7.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, St. George records the highest median at $34,800. Of the 349 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 328th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,440 | −25.1% |
| 25th | $28,690 | −18.8% |
| Median (50th) | $31,930 | −9.6% |
| 75th | $39,730 | +12.5% |
| 90th | $48,210 | +36.5% |
| Mean | $34,560 | −2.2% |
Other metro areas in Utah
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. George | $34,800 | 670 | |
| 2 | Ogden | $34,430 | 1,530 | |
| 3 | Provo | $34,420 | 1,580 | |
| 4 | Salt Lake City | $33,370 | 4,880 | |
| 5 | Logan | $30,400 | 450 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in High Desert Utah sit close to the national average, so $31,930 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$31,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,285US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $31,930 a year, 9.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,440 to $48,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 820 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is St. George, at $34,800.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in High Desert Utah, UT?
The median annual wage is $31,930, or $15.35 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 High Desert Utah, UT is 9.6% 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 High Desert Utah, UT earns more than $48,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,440 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 St. George, at $34,800 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 820 jobs in this occupation in High Desert Utah, UT. 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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