How much does a food preparation worker make in Buffalo?
$34,700a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area. That is $16.68 an hour or $2,892 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.68
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 145 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 3,290
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,240Median: $34,700Highest 10%: $40,020
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| 25th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| Median | $34,700 | $16.68 | |
| 75th | $37,190 | $17.88 | |
| 90th | $40,020 | $19.24 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Albany, NY | $36,260 |
| Ithaca, NY | $36,140 |
| New York, NY | $35,670 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $35,550 |
| Binghamton, NY | $35,370 |
| Kingston, NY | $35,130 |
| Rochester, NY | $35,020 |
| Syracuse, NY | $35,020 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $34,200 |
| Elmira, NY | $34,010 |
| Utica, NY | $33,250 |
| Watertown, NY | $32,390 |
Related jobs in Buffalo
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,290 |
| Bartender | $46,920 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $46,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,720 |
| Cook | $41,860 |
| Cook | $38,580 |
| Cook | $38,060 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,140 |
| Dishwasher | $35,080 |
| Cook | $34,730 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Buffalo?
The median hourly pay in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $16.68 ($34,700 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Buffalo than the national average?
No: $34,700 against $35,320 nationally, 2% less.
How does Buffalo compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $35,610, so Buffalo pays 3% less.
Where does Buffalo rank for food preparation worker pay?
145 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Buffalo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $40,020 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.