SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Racine
Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Racine, WI is $30,460 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 13.8%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Racine, WI is $30,460 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 13.8%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $28,080 and $36,330. The lowest tenth earn under $22,990, while the highest tenth earn more than $42,970.
The area has 500 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.14 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Madison records the highest median at $36,940. Of the 265 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 253rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,990 | −34.9% |
| 25th | $28,080 | −20.5% |
| Median (50th) | $30,460 | −13.8% |
| 75th | $36,330 | +2.9% |
| 90th | $42,970 | +21.7% |
| Mean | $32,040 | −9.3% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $36,940 | 2,330 | |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $35,470 | 4,500 | |
| 3 | La Crosse | $34,900 | 660 | |
| 4 | Kenosha | $34,840 | 490 | |
| 5 | Appleton | $34,060 | 650 | |
| 6 | Eau Claire | $33,680 | 580 | |
| 7 | Green Bay | $32,720 | 1,260 | |
| 8 | Oshkosh | $32,340 | 500 | |
| 9 | Janesville | $32,150 | 490 | |
| 10 | Fond du Lac | $31,720 | 320 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Racine run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $30,460 goes as far as $32,370 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,370US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,460 a year, 13.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,990 to $42,970 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 500 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Madison, at $36,940.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Racine, WI?
The median annual wage is $30,460, or $14.65 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 Racine, WI is 13.8% 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 Racine, WI earns more than $42,970 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,990 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 Madison, at $36,940 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 500 jobs in this occupation in Racine, WI. 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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