How much does a food preparation worker make in Ithaca?
$36,140a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Ithaca, NY metro area. That is $17.38 an hour or $3,012 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.38
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 84 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,240Median: $36,140Highest 10%: $46,490
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| 25th | $33,590 | $16.15 | |
| Median | $36,140 | $17.38 | |
| 75th | $39,470 | $18.98 | |
| 90th | $46,490 | $22.35 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Albany, NY | $36,260 |
| 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 |
| Buffalo, NY | $34,700 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $34,200 |
| Elmira, NY | $34,010 |
| Utica, NY | $33,250 |
| Watertown, NY | $32,390 |
Related jobs in Ithaca
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $64,010 |
| Cook | $46,870 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $46,780 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $46,090 |
| Bartender | $44,040 |
| Food Server | $40,240 |
| Cook | $39,280 |
| Cook | $36,200 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,700 |
| Dishwasher | $35,170 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Ithaca?
The median hourly pay in the Ithaca, NY metro area is $17.38 ($36,140 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Ithaca than the national average?
Yes: $36,140 against $35,320 nationally, 2% more.
How does Ithaca compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $35,610, so Ithaca pays 1% more.
Where does Ithaca rank for food preparation worker pay?
84 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Ithaca?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,490 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.