Food Preparation Workers Salary by State
The national median pay for food preparation workers is $35,320 a year. By state, it ranges from $23,620 in Louisiana to $40,910 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $25,810
- 25th percentile
- $29,950
- Median
- $35,320
- 75th percentile
- $38,550
- Top 10%
- $45,340
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 893,600 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $40,910 | +16% | $34,890 | $51,730 | 19,510 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 | +12% | $37,510 | $45,370 | 3,970 |
| 3 | California | $39,350 | +11% | $35,190 | $48,470 | 112,750 |
| 4 | Colorado | $38,960 | +10% | $30,800 | $49,000 | 12,080 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 | +10% | $34,280 | $48,420 | 13,620 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $38,160 | +8% | $29,950 | $57,720 | 5,950 |
| 7 | Oregon | $37,450 | +6% | $31,560 | $48,580 | 11,860 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $36,800 | +4% | $28,400 | $43,840 | 980 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $36,780 | +4% | $26,830 | $45,980 | 3,420 |
| 10 | Arizona | $36,750 | +4% | $31,300 | $44,640 | 16,590 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $36,650 | +4% | $34,010 | $47,790 | 12,250 |
| 12 | Vermont | $36,550 | +3% | $31,840 | $49,020 | 1,350 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $36,110 | +2% | $22,880 | $46,590 | 1,620 |
| 14 | Maine | $36,030 | +2% | $31,150 | $46,400 | 4,560 |
| 15 | Delaware | $35,930 | +2% | $31,200 | $43,070 | 2,400 |
| 16 | Florida | $35,920 | +2% | $28,190 | $43,300 | 73,100 |
| 17 | Alaska | $35,720 | +1% | $30,350 | $46,440 | 2,800 |
| 18 | New York | $35,610 | +1% | $33,280 | $46,800 | 62,380 |
| 19 | New Jersey | $35,540 | +1% | $32,220 | $46,070 | 24,730 |
| 20 | Maryland | $35,500 | +1% | $31,290 | $45,890 | 13,280 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $35,470 | 0% | $31,200 | $45,220 | 2,830 |
| 22 | Georgia | $35,250 | 0% | $24,840 | $40,390 | 26,450 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $35,210 | 0% | $28,740 | $42,560 | 6,890 |
| 24 | Virginia | $34,900 | −1% | $28,460 | $42,480 | 16,340 |
| 25 | Illinois | $34,850 | −1% | $31,200 | $44,990 | 34,820 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $34,850 | −1% | $29,150 | $45,790 | 24,620 |
| 27 | Ohio | $34,530 | −2% | $26,640 | $44,500 | 19,480 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $34,070 | −4% | $26,080 | $44,290 | 17,990 |
| 29 | Montana | $33,860 | −4% | $26,000 | $43,410 | 2,990 |
| 30 | Utah | $33,540 | −5% | $26,740 | $45,290 | 10,530 |
| 31 | Nevada | $33,460 | −5% | $26,140 | $50,600 | 11,420 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $33,370 | −6% | $27,290 | $38,200 | 6,850 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $32,180 | −9% | $22,990 | $40,370 | 14,460 |
| 34 | Idaho | $31,510 | −11% | $22,150 | $40,260 | 4,670 |
| 35 | Missouri | $31,510 | −11% | $28,600 | $44,440 | 13,650 |
| 36 | Michigan | $31,180 | −12% | $26,540 | $38,620 | 17,380 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $30,840 | −13% | $22,360 | $39,600 | 17,940 |
| 38 | Texas | $30,650 | −13% | $22,790 | $42,450 | 81,280 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $30,430 | −14% | $26,510 | $38,580 | 3,270 |
| 40 | Iowa | $30,360 | −14% | $23,760 | $40,250 | 4,170 |
| 41 | Kansas | $30,280 | −14% | $22,880 | $39,220 | 7,680 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $30,260 | −14% | $21,870 | $38,760 | 24,960 |
| 43 | Indiana | $29,700 | −16% | $23,170 | $39,050 | 16,200 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $28,700 | −19% | $22,290 | $39,660 | 19,780 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $28,540 | −19% | $20,800 | $35,980 | 7,430 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $28,360 | −20% | $21,570 | $35,890 | 2,960 |
| 47 | Alabama | $27,930 | −21% | $20,820 | $37,580 | 17,680 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $27,660 | −22% | $24,020 | $36,260 | 5,500 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $26,850 | −24% | $20,900 | $37,830 | 15,390 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $26,240 | −26% | $18,790 | $36,100 | 7,870 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $23,620 | −33% | $17,970 | $34,190 | 30,920 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Food Preparation Workers salary questions
Which state pays food preparation workers the most?
Washington, with a median of $40,910 a year (+16% vs. the national median of $35,320). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays food preparation workers the least?
Louisiana, with a median of $23,620 a year (−33% vs. national).
Where do most food preparation workers work?
California has the most jobs, about 112,750, with a median of $39,350.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.