SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Norwich
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT · 4 metro areas compared
At $36,200, median pay for Food Preparation Workers in Norwich, CT tracks the national median of $35,320 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $36,200, median pay for Food Preparation Workers in Norwich, CT tracks the national median of $35,320 closely. Pay ranges from under $34,010 at the tenth percentile to more than $46,020 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $34,770 to $40,210.
Employment stands at 960, or 7.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Bridgeport records the highest median at $37,820. Of the 342 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 317th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,010 | −3.7% |
| 25th | $34,770 | −1.6% |
| Median (50th) | $36,200 | +2.5% |
| 75th | $40,210 | +13.8% |
| 90th | $46,020 | +30.3% |
| Mean | $38,560 | +9.2% |
Other metro areas in Connecticut
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeport | $37,820 | 3,300 | |
| 2 | New Haven | $36,970 | 2,140 | |
| 3 | Waterbury | $36,580 | 1,430 | |
| 4 | Hartford | $35,860 | 3,750 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Norwich run 3.6% above the national average, so the median of $36,200 buys what $34,942 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 1.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$34,942US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,200 a year, 2.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,010 to $46,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 960 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bridgeport, at $37,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Norwich, CT?
The median annual wage is $36,200, or $17.40 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 Norwich, CT is 2.5% 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 Norwich, CT earns more than $46,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,010 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 Bridgeport, at $37,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 960 jobs in this occupation in Norwich, CT. 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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