SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Massachusetts is $38,900 per year, 10.1% above 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 Massachusetts is $38,900 per year, 10.1% above the national median of $35,320. Half of workers earn between $36,060 and $44,580. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,280 and the ninetieth at $48,420.
The area has 13,620 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.7 of every thousand jobs. Massachusetts ranks number 5th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Amherst Town records the highest median at $40,140. Of the 717 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 676th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,280 | −2.9% |
| 25th | $36,060 | +2.1% |
| Median (50th) | $38,900 | +10.1% |
| 75th | $44,580 | +26.2% |
| 90th | $48,420 | +37.1% |
| Mean | $41,030 | +16.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Massachusetts
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amherst Town | $40,140 | 510 | |
| 2 | Boston | $39,660 | 9,630 | |
| 3 | Barnstable Town | $38,660 | 670 | |
| 4 | Pittsfield | $36,930 | 310 | |
| 5 | Worcester | $36,550 | 1,390 | |
| 6 | Springfield | $36,020 | 810 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Massachusetts run 5.8% above the national average, so the median of $38,900 buys what $36,767 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,767US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,900 a year, 10.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,280 to $48,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 13,620 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 5th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Amherst Town, at $40,140.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage is $38,900, or $18.70 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 Massachusetts is 10.1% higher. 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 Massachusetts earns more than $48,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,280 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 Amherst Town, at $40,140 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 13,620 jobs in this occupation in Massachusetts. 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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