How much does a food preparation worker make in Erie?
$29,620a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Erie, PA metro area. That is $14.24 an hour or $2,468 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.24
- Vs. national median
- -16%
- Rank among cities
- 290 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 370
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,710Median: $29,620Highest 10%: $39,120
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,710 | $10.92 | |
| 25th | $27,620 | $13.28 | |
| Median | $29,620 | $14.24 | |
| 75th | $34,490 | $16.58 | |
| 90th | $39,120 | $18.81 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Philadelphia, PA | $34,560 |
| Allentown, PA | $33,430 |
| Lancaster, PA | $31,580 |
| Reading, PA | $31,580 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $31,500 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $31,370 |
| State College, PA | $31,210 |
| Lebanon, PA | $31,200 |
| York, PA | $31,100 |
| Altoona, PA | $30,300 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $30,120 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $29,890 |
| Scranton, PA | $29,210 |
| Williamsport, PA | $28,480 |
| Johnstown, PA | $24,920 |
Related jobs in Erie
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $51,340 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,980 |
| Cook | $35,620 |
| Cook | $33,550 |
| Food Server | $32,300 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $28,590 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,060 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $26,540 |
| Dishwasher | $26,300 |
| Host and Hostess | $23,450 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Erie?
The median hourly pay in the Erie, PA metro area is $14.24 ($29,620 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Erie than the national average?
No: $29,620 against $35,320 nationally, 16% less.
How does Erie compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $30,840, so Erie pays 4% less.
Where does Erie rank for food preparation worker pay?
290 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Erie?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,710 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,120 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.