SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Minnesota
Minnesota · 5 metro areas compared
At $34,850, median pay for Food Preparation Workers in Minnesota tracks the national median of $35,320 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $34,850, median pay for Food Preparation Workers in Minnesota tracks the national median of $35,320 closely. Pay ranges from under $29,150 at the tenth percentile to more than $45,790 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $30,550 to $38,240.
The area has 24,620 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.45 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Minnesota ranks number 26th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Rochester records the highest median at $35,470. Of the 721 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 697th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,150 | −17.5% |
| 25th | $30,550 | −13.5% |
| Median (50th) | $34,850 | −1.3% |
| 75th | $38,240 | +8.3% |
| 90th | $45,790 | +29.6% |
| Mean | $35,610 | +0.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Minnesota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester | $35,470 | 790 | |
| 2 | Minneapolis | $35,100 | 16,810 | |
| 3 | Duluth | $34,010 | 1,050 | |
| 4 | St. Cloud | $33,540 | 890 | |
| 5 | Mankato | $33,440 | 390 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Minnesota sit close to the national average, so $34,850 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$34,850as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,345US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,850 a year, 1.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,150 to $45,790 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 24,620 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 26th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Rochester, at $35,470.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Minnesota?
The median annual wage is $34,850, or $16.76 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 Minnesota is 1.3% 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 Minnesota earns more than $45,790 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,150 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 Rochester, at $35,470 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 24,620 jobs in this occupation in Minnesota. 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.
Explore related data