How much does a food preparation worker make in McAllen?
$26,960a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area. That is $12.96 an hour or $2,247 a month.
- Hourly
- $12.96
- Vs. national median
- -24%
- Rank among cities
- 362 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 1,750
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $20,670Median: $26,960Highest 10%: $38,010
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,670 | $9.94 | |
| 25th | $22,990 | $11.05 | |
| Median | $26,960 | $12.96 | |
| 75th | $35,900 | $17.26 | |
| 90th | $38,010 | $18.27 |
Other cities in Texas
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Wichita Falls, TX | $35,700 |
| Houston, TX | $35,020 |
| Austin, TX | $34,880 |
| San Antonio, TX | $34,390 |
| College Station, TX | $34,380 |
| Midland, TX | $33,200 |
| Dallas, TX | $30,740 |
| Odessa, TX | $30,550 |
| Killeen, TX | $30,300 |
| Amarillo, TX | $29,160 |
| Beaumont, TX | $28,700 |
| Waco, TX | $28,690 |
| San Angelo, TX | $28,640 |
| Sherman, TX | $28,620 |
| Lubbock, TX | $28,550 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $28,430 |
| Abilene, TX | $28,250 |
| Tyler, TX | $28,150 |
| Laredo, TX | $27,780 |
| Victoria, TX | $27,680 |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $27,390 |
| Texarkana, TX | $27,290 |
| Brownsville, TX | $26,180 |
| Longview, TX | $26,150 |
| El Paso, TX | $25,810 |
Related jobs in McAllen
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $39,140 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $30,270 |
| Cook | $29,300 |
| Cook | $28,380 |
| Cook | $26,740 |
| Dishwasher | $23,140 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $22,790 |
| Host and Hostess | $22,510 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $20,650 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $19,910 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in McAllen?
The median hourly pay in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area is $12.96 ($26,960 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in McAllen than the national average?
No: $26,960 against $35,320 nationally, 24% less.
How does McAllen compare with the rest of Texas?
The median in Texas is $30,650, so McAllen pays 12% less.
Where does McAllen rank for food preparation worker pay?
362 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in McAllen?
The lowest-paid 10% make $20,670 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,010 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.