How much does a food preparation worker make in Madison?
$36,940a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Madison, WI metro area. That is $17.76 an hour or $3,078 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.76
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 60 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 2,330
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $26,980Median: $36,940Highest 10%: $47,060
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,980 | $12.97 | |
| 25th | $30,460 | $14.64 | |
| Median | $36,940 | $17.76 | |
| 75th | $43,950 | $21.13 | |
| 90th | $47,060 | $22.63 |
Other cities in Wisconsin
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Milwaukee, WI | $35,470 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $35,100 |
| La Crosse, WI | $34,900 |
| Kenosha, WI | $34,840 |
| Appleton, WI | $34,060 |
| 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 Madison
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $64,300 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $46,060 |
| Cook | $42,960 |
| Cook | $38,440 |
| Food Server | $36,110 |
| Dishwasher | $32,750 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $30,910 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,820 |
| Cook | $29,640 |
| Host and Hostess | $29,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Madison?
The median hourly pay in the Madison, WI metro area is $17.76 ($36,940 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Madison than the national average?
Yes: $36,940 against $35,320 nationally, 5% more.
How does Madison compare with the rest of Wisconsin?
The median in Wisconsin is $34,070, so Madison pays 8% more.
Where does Madison rank for food preparation worker pay?
60 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Madison?
The lowest-paid 10% make $26,980 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,060 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.