How much does a food preparation worker make in Appleton?
$34,060a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Appleton, WI metro area. That is $16.38 an hour or $2,838 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.38
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 170 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 650
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,990Median: $34,060Highest 10%: $45,050
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,990 | $11.53 | |
| 25th | $28,280 | $13.60 | |
| Median | $34,060 | $16.38 | |
| 75th | $38,200 | $18.37 | |
| 90th | $45,050 | $21.66 |
Other cities in Wisconsin
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Madison, WI | $36,940 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $35,470 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $35,100 |
| La Crosse, WI | $34,900 |
| Kenosha, WI | $34,840 |
| Duluth, MN | $34,010 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $33,680 |
| Green Bay, WI | $32,720 |
| Oshkosh, WI | $32,340 |
| Janesville, WI | $32,150 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $31,720 |
| Wausau, WI | $31,720 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $30,810 |
| Racine, WI | $30,460 |
Related jobs in Appleton
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $62,200 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,500 |
| Cook | $38,110 |
| Cook | $36,520 |
| Food Server | $34,280 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $30,370 |
| Dishwasher | $29,370 |
| Cook | $29,050 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,010 |
| Host and Hostess | $27,870 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Appleton?
The median hourly pay in the Appleton, WI metro area is $16.38 ($34,060 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Appleton than the national average?
No: $34,060 against $35,320 nationally, 4% less.
How does Appleton compare with the rest of Wisconsin?
The median in Wisconsin is $34,070, so Appleton pays 0% more.
Where does Appleton rank for food preparation worker pay?
170 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Appleton?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,990 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,050 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.