How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $17.23 an hour or $2,987 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.23
- Average (mean)
- $36,810
- Jobs
- 84,630
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,470 | $12.25 | |
| 25th | $31,200 | $15.00 | |
| Median | $35,840 | $17.23 | |
| 75th | $39,880 | $19.17 | |
| 90th | $47,550 | $22.86 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Nebraska | $46,170 |
| Hawaii | $43,540 |
| Oregon | $39,080 |
| Illinois | $38,880 |
| District of Columbia | $38,580 |
| New Hampshire | $38,210 |
| Indiana | $38,160 |
| Arizona | $37,600 |
| Maryland | $37,500 |
| Utah | $37,180 |
| California | $36,910 |
| Tennessee | $36,640 |
| Connecticut | $36,320 |
| New Jersey | $36,290 |
| New Mexico | $36,250 |
| Virginia | $35,870 |
| Colorado | $35,710 |
| Massachusetts | $35,300 |
| Michigan | $35,100 |
| Washington | $34,650 |
| New York | $34,340 |
| Florida | $34,200 |
| Delaware | $33,840 |
| Iowa | $33,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $33,040 |
| Vermont | $32,420 |
| Wyoming | $31,840 |
| Arkansas | $31,660 |
| Nevada | $31,510 |
| Wisconsin | $31,240 |
| Oklahoma | $31,200 |
| Rhode Island | $31,200 |
| Mississippi | $30,600 |
| Texas | $30,210 |
| North Carolina | $30,160 |
| Montana | $29,720 |
| Missouri | $28,600 |
| Ohio | $27,540 |
| Georgia | $25,740 |
| North Dakota | $23,410 |
| Alabama | $22,990 |
| South Carolina | $22,230 |
| Louisiana | $21,820 |
| West Virginia | $21,640 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Salem, OR | $49,900 |
| Kahului, HI | $49,400 |
| Omaha, NE | $48,070 |
| Bend, OR | $45,810 |
| San Jose, CA | $44,720 |
| Trenton, NJ | $43,350 |
| Manchester, NH | $43,330 |
| San Francisco, CA | $41,970 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $41,180 |
| Nashville, TN | $40,370 |
| Chicago, IL | $39,930 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $39,670 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $39,570 |
| Boulder, CO | $39,270 |
| Napa, CA | $39,080 |
In other countries
Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker belongs to the international group "Kitchen helpers".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper$33,980
- Dishwasher$34,810
- Host and Hostess$31,200
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $17.23 ($35,840 a year).
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make a month?
About $2,987 a month before tax, based on a median of $35,840 a year.
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $25,470 or less a year ($12.25 an hour); the top 10% make $47,550 or more.
Which state pays food preparation and serving related workers the most?
Nebraska, with a median of $46,170 a year, followed by Hawaii ($43,540) and Oregon ($39,080).
Which city pays food preparation and serving related workers the most?
Salem, OR, with a median of $49,900 a year.
How many food preparation and serving related workers are there in the United States?
About 84,630 people work as food preparation and serving related workers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.