SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Lansing
Lansing-East Lansing, MI · 10 metro areas compared
In Lansing, MI the median wage is $29,340.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Lansing, MI the median wage is $29,340. That is 16.9% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay ranges from under $26,020 at the tenth percentile to more than $37,980 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $27,040 to $35,640.
Employment stands at 740, or 3.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ann Arbor records the highest median at $34,100. Of the 457 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 451st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,020 | −26.3% |
| 25th | $27,040 | −23.4% |
| Median (50th) | $29,340 | −16.9% |
| 75th | $35,640 | +0.9% |
| 90th | $37,980 | +7.5% |
| Mean | $31,810 | −9.9% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Arbor | $34,100 | 590 | |
| 2 | Detroit | $33,060 | 8,250 | |
| 3 | Traverse City | $31,980 | 400 | |
| 4 | Grand Rapids | $31,920 | 1,970 | |
| 5 | Flint | $31,510 | 530 | |
| 6 | Kalamazoo | $31,410 | 490 | |
| 7 | Jackson | $31,120 | 170 | |
| 8 | Muskegon | $30,100 | 170 | |
| 9 | Monroe | $30,060 | 180 | |
| 10 | Battle Creek | $29,650 | 330 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lansing run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $29,340 goes as far as $30,499 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,340as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,499US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,340 a year, 16.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,020 to $37,980 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 740 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ann Arbor, at $34,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Lansing, MI?
The median annual wage is $29,340, or $14.11 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 Lansing, MI is 16.9% 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 Lansing, MI earns more than $37,980 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,020 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 Ann Arbor, at $34,100 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 740 jobs in this occupation in Lansing, MI. 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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