How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make in Reading?
$28,910a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers in the Reading, PA metro area. That is $13.90 an hour or $2,409 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.90
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among cities
- 128 of 171
- Jobs in the area
- 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,140Median: $28,910Highest 10%: $37,230
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,140 | $11.61 | |
| 25th | $28,400 | $13.65 | |
| Median | $28,910 | $13.90 | |
| 75th | $35,450 | $17.04 | |
| 90th | $37,230 | $17.90 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers.
| Allentown, PA | $36,360 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $34,190 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $32,290 |
Related jobs in Reading
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,980 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,800 |
| Cook | $36,590 |
| Cook | $36,020 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,580 |
| Food Server | $30,810 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $30,760 |
| Bartender | $28,260 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,190 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,090 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make an hour in Reading?
The median hourly pay in the Reading, PA metro area is $13.90 ($28,910 a year).
Do food preparation and serving related workers make more in Reading than the national average?
No: $28,910 against $35,840 nationally, 19% less.
How does Reading compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $33,040, so Reading pays 12% less.
Where does Reading rank for food preparation and serving related worker pay?
128 of 171 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make starting out in Reading?
The lowest-paid 10% make $24,140 or less a year; the top 10% make $37,230 or more.
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.