SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Mid Michigan
Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Mid Michigan, MI is $28,440 per year, 19.5% 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 Mid Michigan, MI is $28,440 per year, 19.5% below the national median of $35,320. Half of workers earn between $26,140 and $33,050. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $25,960 and the ninetieth at $35,950.
Employment stands at 540, or 3.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ann Arbor records the highest median at $34,100. Of the 405 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 399th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,960 | −26.5% |
| 25th | $26,140 | −26.0% |
| Median (50th) | $28,440 | −19.5% |
| 75th | $33,050 | −6.4% |
| 90th | $35,950 | +1.8% |
| Mean | $30,120 | −14.7% |
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 Mid Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $28,440 goes as far as $29,563 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,563US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,440 a year, 19.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,960 to $35,950 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 540 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 Mid Michigan, MI?
The median annual wage is $28,440, or $13.67 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 Mid Michigan, MI is 19.5% 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 Mid Michigan, MI earns more than $35,950 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,960 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 540 jobs in this occupation in Mid Michigan, 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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