Food Preparation Workers salary

United States, all industries · BLS OEWS 2025

National market range

$30K–$39K

Median

$35,320

25th percentile

$29,950

75th percentile

$38,550

$26K

10th

$30K

25th

$35K

Median

$39K

75th

$45K

90th

By state

State

Median

Range · 25th–75th

vs national

Alabama

$27,930

$22K–$34K

-21%

Alaska

$35,720

$34K–$39K

+1%

Arizona

$36,750

$34K–$39K

+4%

Arkansas

$27,660

$26K–$32K

-22%

California

$39,350

$37K–$45K

+11%

Colorado

$38,960

$35K–$45K

+10%

Connecticut

$36,650

$35K–$40K

+4%

Delaware

$35,930

$32K–$38K

+2%

District of Columbia

$39,600

$38K–$44K

+12%

Florida

$35,920

$30K–$37K

+2%

Georgia

$35,250

$30K–$38K

Guam

$21,820

$21K–$23K

-38%

Hawaii

$38,160

$33K–$47K

+8%

Idaho

$31,510

$28K–$37K

-11%

Illinois

$34,850

$31K–$38K

-1%

Indiana

$29,700

$28K–$36K

-16%

Iowa

$30,360

$28K–$36K

-14%

Kansas

$30,280

$28K–$35K

-14%

Kentucky

$26,850

$23K–$34K

-24%

Louisiana

$23,620

$21K–$29K

-33%

Maine

$36,030

$34K–$39K

+2%

Maryland

$35,500

$33K–$38K

+1%

Massachusetts

$38,900

$36K–$45K

+10%

Michigan

$31,180

$28K–$36K

-12%

Minnesota

$34,850

$31K–$38K

-1%

Mississippi

$26,240

$21K–$30K

-26%

Missouri

$31,510

$29K–$37K

-11%

Montana

$33,860

$29K–$37K

-4%

Nebraska

$35,210

$30K–$37K

Nevada

$33,460

$29K–$41K

-5%

New Hampshire

$36,780

$31K–$39K

+4%

New Jersey

$35,540

$34K–$38K

+1%

New Mexico

$33,370

$29K–$36K

-6%

New York

$35,610

$34K–$40K

+1%

North Carolina

$30,260

$27K–$36K

-14%

North Dakota

$36,800

$32K–$38K

+4%

Ohio

$34,530

$29K–$38K

-2%

Oklahoma

$28,540

$23K–$34K

-19%

Oregon

$37,450

$35K–$43K

+6%

Pennsylvania

$30,840

$28K–$36K

-13%

Puerto Rico

$22,400

$22K–$23K

-37%

Rhode Island

$35,470

$32K–$42K

South Carolina

$32,180

$28K–$37K

-9%

South Dakota

$30,430

$28K–$34K

-14%

Tennessee

$28,700

$24K–$36K

-19%

Texas

$30,650

$27K–$37K

-13%

the U.S. Virgin Islands

$30,460

$29K–$31K

-14%

Utah

$33,540

$30K–$38K

-5%

Vermont

$36,550

$35K–$43K

+3%

Virginia

$34,900

$31K–$37K

-1%

Washington

$40,910

$36K–$47K

+16%

West Virginia

$28,360

$23K–$31K

-20%

Wisconsin

$34,070

$29K–$38K

-4%

Wyoming

$36,110

$31K–$40K

+2%

Source: BLS OEWS, 2025 · Ranges are 25th–75th percentile of reported wages for the occupation code · All workers, regardless of gender.

Women are 55% of food preparation and serving occupations nationally, and earn 87¢ for every dollar men earn (U.S. Census ACS 2024; earnings full-time year-round). A market-based target is computed the same way regardless of gender — that’s the point.

More food preparation and serving occupations

Bartenders Chefs and Head Cooks Cooks, All Other Cooks, Fast Food Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Cooks, Private Household Cooks, Restaurant Cooks, Short Order Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers Dishwashers

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