SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Southeast Oklahoma
Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Southeast Oklahoma, OK is $22,110 per year, substantially below the national median of $35,320 — a gap of 37.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Southeast Oklahoma, OK is $22,110 per year, substantially below the national median of $35,320 — a gap of 37.4%. Pay ranges from under $19,290 at the tenth percentile to more than $32,680 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $20,800 to $28,010.
The area has 900 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.8 of every thousand jobs. Tulsa leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $30,370. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 407th of 411 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,290 | −45.4% |
| 25th | $20,800 | −41.1% |
| Median (50th) | $22,110 | −37.4% |
| 75th | $28,010 | −20.7% |
| 90th | $32,680 | −7.5% |
| Mean | $24,630 | −30.3% |
Other metro areas in Oklahoma
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tulsa | $30,370 | 1,750 | |
| 2 | Oklahoma City | $30,160 | 3,240 | |
| 3 | Lawton | $27,130 | 150 | |
| 4 | Enid | $24,810 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southeast Oklahoma run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $22,110 goes as far as $25,182 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 28.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$22,110as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$25,182US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $22,110 a year, 37.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $19,290 to $32,680 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 900 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Tulsa, at $30,370.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Southeast Oklahoma, OK?
The median annual wage is $22,110, or $10.63 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 Southeast Oklahoma, OK is 37.4% 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 Southeast Oklahoma, OK earns more than $32,680 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $19,290 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 Tulsa, at $30,370 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 900 jobs in this occupation in Southeast Oklahoma, OK. 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