How much does a food preparation worker make in Pennsylvania?
$30,840a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in Pennsylvania. That is $14.83 an hour or $2,570 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.83
- Vs. national median
- -13%
- Rank among states
- 37 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 17,940
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,360Median: $30,840Highest 10%: $39,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,360 | $10.75 | |
| 25th | $27,830 | $13.38 | |
| Median | $30,840 | $14.83 | |
| 75th | $36,080 | $17.35 | |
| 90th | $39,600 | $19.04 |
Cities in Pennsylvania
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Philadelphia, PA | $34,560 |
| Allentown, PA | $33,430 |
| Lancaster, PA | $31,580 |
| Reading, PA | $31,580 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $31,500 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $31,370 |
| State College, PA | $31,210 |
| Lebanon, PA | $31,200 |
| York, PA | $31,100 |
| Altoona, PA | $30,300 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $30,120 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $29,890 |
| Erie, PA | $29,620 |
| Scranton, PA | $29,210 |
| Williamsport, PA | $28,480 |
| Johnstown, PA | $24,920 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food preparation workers.
| 34. Idaho | $31,510 |
| 35. Missouri | $31,510 |
| 36. Michigan | $31,180 |
| 37. Pennsylvania | $30,840 |
| 38. Texas | $30,650 |
| 39. South Dakota | $30,430 |
| 40. Iowa | $30,360 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Pennsylvania?
The median hourly pay in Pennsylvania is $14.83 ($30,840 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Pennsylvania than the national average?
No: $30,840 against $35,320 nationally, 13% less.
Where does Pennsylvania rank for food preparation worker pay?
Pennsylvania ranks 37 of 51 states.
Which city in Pennsylvania pays food preparation workers the most?
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, with a median of $34,560 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.