Food Preparation Worker salary
35,320 USD
Median annual wage · 2025 · BLS · 35-2021
Half of all food preparation workers in the United States earn more than 35,320 USD a year, half earn less.
Rank by pay803of 825 occupations
Spread, quartile to quartile1.29×29,950 USD – 38,550 USD
| Measure | All |
|---|---|
| Lower quartile | 29,950 USD |
| Median | 35,320 USD |
| Mean | 35,290 USD |
| Upper quartile | 38,550 USD |
About the figure
Occupation code 35-2021 in SOC 2018, the US occupation classification. Covers wage and salary workers, excluding the self-employed. Published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not estimated by us. The figure is an annual wage, not a monthly one.
Occupations that pay about the same
- Retail Salespersons 35,410 USD
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant 35,360 USD
- Animal Caretakers 35,360 USD
- Physical Therapist Aides 35,240 USD
- Waiters and Waitresses 35,230 USD
- Parking Attendants 35,150 USD
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Figures are for 2025; snapshot taken 2026-08-15. www.bls.gov