SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Northeast Minnesota
Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Northeast Minnesota, MN is $32,760 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 Northeast Minnesota, MN is $32,760 per year, close to the national median of $35,320 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $29,070 and $36,440. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $27,250 and the ninetieth at $40,540.
The area has 460 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 10.5 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Rochester records the highest median at $35,470. Of the 199 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 185th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,250 | −22.8% |
| 25th | $29,070 | −17.7% |
| Median (50th) | $32,760 | −7.2% |
| 75th | $36,440 | +3.2% |
| 90th | $40,540 | +14.8% |
| Mean | $33,580 | −4.9% |
Other 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 Northeast Minnesota sit close to the national average, so $32,760 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$32,760as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,225US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $32,760 a year, 7.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,250 to $40,540 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 460 jobs in 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 Northeast Minnesota, MN?
The median annual wage is $32,760, or $15.75 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 Northeast Minnesota, MN is 7.2% 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 Northeast Minnesota, MN earns more than $40,540 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,250 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 460 jobs in this occupation in Northeast Minnesota, MN. 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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