How much does a food preparation worker make in Milwaukee?
$35,470a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area. That is $17.05 an hour or $2,956 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.05
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 105 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 4,500
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,250Median: $35,470Highest 10%: $43,920
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,250 | $13.58 | |
| 25th | $30,310 | $14.57 | |
| Median | $35,470 | $17.05 | |
| 75th | $38,560 | $18.54 | |
| 90th | $43,920 | $21.12 |
Other cities in Wisconsin
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Madison, WI | $36,940 |
| 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 Milwaukee
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $61,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $40,080 |
| Cook | $38,980 |
| Cook | $37,180 |
| Food Server | $34,900 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $30,330 |
| Dishwasher | $29,170 |
| Cook | $28,910 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,440 |
| Cook | $28,130 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Milwaukee?
The median hourly pay in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $17.05 ($35,470 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Milwaukee than the national average?
Yes: $35,470 against $35,320 nationally, 0% more.
How does Milwaukee compare with the rest of Wisconsin?
The median in Wisconsin is $34,070, so Milwaukee pays 4% more.
Where does Milwaukee rank for food preparation worker pay?
105 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Milwaukee?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,250 or less a year; the top 10% make $43,920 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.