SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Syracuse
Syracuse, NY · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Syracuse, NY is $35,020 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 Syracuse, NY is $35,020 per year, close to the national median of $35,320 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $32,810 and $37,540. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $32,240 and the ninetieth at $41,950.
The area has 1,520 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 5.1 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Albany records the highest median at $36,260. Of the 518 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 500th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 | −8.7% |
| 25th | $32,810 | −7.1% |
| Median (50th) | $35,020 | −0.8% |
| 75th | $37,540 | +6.3% |
| 90th | $41,950 | +18.8% |
| Mean | $36,070 | +2.1% |
Other metro areas in New York
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albany | $36,260 | 1,890 | |
| 2 | Ithaca | $36,140 | 280 | |
| 3 | New York | $35,670 | 63,530 | |
| 4 | Kiryas Joel | $35,550 | 1,660 | |
| 5 | Binghamton | $35,370 | 550 | |
| 6 | Kingston | $35,130 | 370 | |
| 7 | Rochester | $35,020 | 2,870 | |
| 8 | Buffalo | $34,700 | 3,290 | |
| 9 | Glens Falls | $34,200 | 300 | |
| 10 | Elmira | $34,010 | 160 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Syracuse run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $35,020 buys what $32,456 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 8.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$35,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,456US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $35,020 a year, 0.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,240 to $41,950 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,520 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Albany, at $36,260.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Syracuse, NY?
The median annual wage is $35,020, or $16.84 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 Syracuse, NY is 0.8% 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 Syracuse, NY earns more than $41,950 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,240 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 Albany, at $36,260 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,520 jobs in this occupation in Syracuse, NY. 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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