SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Nevada
Nevada · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Nevada is $33,460 per year, close to the national median of $35,320 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Nevada is $33,460 per year, close to the national median of $35,320 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $28,870 and $40,920. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $26,140 and the ninetieth at $50,600.
The area has 11,420 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 7.4 of every thousand jobs. Nevada ranks number 31st out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Carson City records the highest median at $35,090. Of the 669 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 637th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,140 | −26.0% |
| 25th | $28,870 | −18.3% |
| Median (50th) | $33,460 | −5.3% |
| 75th | $40,920 | +15.9% |
| 90th | $50,600 | +43.3% |
| Mean | $36,290 | +2.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Nevada
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carson City | $35,090 | 150 | |
| 2 | Las Vegas | $33,870 | 9,460 | |
| 3 | Reno | $32,180 | 1,490 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Nevada sit close to the national average, so $33,460 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$33,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,460US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $33,460 a year, 5.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,140 to $50,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 11,420 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 31st of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Carson City, at $35,090.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Nevada?
The median annual wage is $33,460, or $16.09 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 Nevada is 5.3% 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 Nevada earns more than $50,600 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,140 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 Carson City, at $35,090 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 11,420 jobs in this occupation in Nevada. 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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