SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Wausau
Wausau, WI · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Wausau, WI is $31,720 per year, 10.2% below the national median of $35,320.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Wausau, WI is $31,720 per year, 10.2% below the national median of $35,320. Half of workers earn between $27,610 and $37,060. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $23,650 and the ninetieth at $44,290.
The area has 440 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 6.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Madison records the highest median at $36,940. Of the 268 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 252nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,650 | −33.0% |
| 25th | $27,610 | −21.8% |
| Median (50th) | $31,720 | −10.2% |
| 75th | $37,060 | +4.9% |
| 90th | $44,290 | +25.4% |
| Mean | $32,570 | −7.8% |
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 Wausau run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $31,720 goes as far as $33,709 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$31,720as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,709US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $31,720 a year, 10.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,650 to $44,290 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 440 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 Wausau, WI?
The median annual wage is $31,720, or $15.25 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 Wausau, WI is 10.2% 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 Wausau, WI earns more than $44,290 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,650 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 440 jobs in this occupation in Wausau, 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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