How much does a food preparation worker make in Boston?
$39,660a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area. That is $19.07 an hour or $3,305 a month.
- Hourly
- $19.07
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among cities
- 12 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 9,630
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,760Median: $39,660Highest 10%: $48,450
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,760 | $16.71 | |
| 25th | $36,570 | $17.58 | |
| Median | $39,660 | $19.07 | |
| 75th | $45,430 | $21.84 | |
| 90th | $48,450 | $23.29 |
Other cities in Massachusetts
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Amherst Town, MA | $40,140 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $38,660 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $36,930 |
| Worcester, MA | $36,550 |
| Providence, RI | $36,250 |
| Springfield, MA | $36,020 |
Related jobs in Boston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $72,470 |
| Cook | $48,530 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $47,090 |
| Cook | $45,830 |
| Cook | $41,600 |
| Cook | $39,600 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $39,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $38,210 |
| Bartender | $37,760 |
| Dishwasher | $37,750 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Boston?
The median hourly pay in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $19.07 ($39,660 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Boston than the national average?
Yes: $39,660 against $35,320 nationally, 12% more.
How does Boston compare with the rest of Massachusetts?
The median in Massachusetts is $38,900, so Boston pays 2% more.
Where does Boston rank for food preparation worker pay?
12 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Boston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,760 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,450 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.