How much does a food preparation worker make in New Jersey?
$35,540a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in New Jersey. That is $17.09 an hour or $2,962 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.09
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among states
- 19 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 24,730
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,220Median: $35,540Highest 10%: $46,070
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,220 | $15.49 | |
| 25th | $33,530 | $16.12 | |
| Median | $35,540 | $17.09 | |
| 75th | $38,470 | $18.50 | |
| 90th | $46,070 | $22.15 |
Cities in New Jersey
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Trenton, NJ | $35,950 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $35,810 |
| New York, NY | $35,670 |
| Vineland, NJ | $35,240 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $34,560 |
| Allentown, PA | $33,430 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food preparation workers.
| 16. Florida | $35,920 |
| 17. Alaska | $35,720 |
| 18. New York | $35,610 |
| 19. New Jersey | $35,540 |
| 20. Maryland | $35,500 |
| 21. Rhode Island | $35,470 |
| 22. Georgia | $35,250 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in New Jersey?
The median hourly pay in New Jersey is $17.09 ($35,540 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in New Jersey than the national average?
Yes: $35,540 against $35,320 nationally, 1% more.
Where does New Jersey rank for food preparation worker pay?
New Jersey ranks 19 of 51 states.
Which city in New Jersey pays food preparation workers the most?
Trenton-Princeton, NJ, with a median of $35,950 a year.
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.