How much does a food preparation worker make in Phoenix?
$37,580a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area. That is $18.07 an hour or $3,132 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.07
- Vs. national median
- +6%
- Rank among cities
- 43 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 11,910
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,730Median: $37,580Highest 10%: $44,640
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,730 | $15.25 | |
| 25th | $34,600 | $16.63 | |
| Median | $37,580 | $18.07 | |
| 75th | $41,320 | $19.87 | |
| 90th | $44,640 | $21.46 |
Other cities in Arizona
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Flagstaff, AZ | $37,710 |
| Yuma, AZ | $35,390 |
| Tucson, AZ | $35,260 |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $35,180 |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $35,090 |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $33,610 |
Related jobs in Phoenix
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $61,400 |
| Cook | $50,180 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $47,530 |
| Cook | $46,960 |
| Bartender | $46,940 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $42,100 |
| Cook | $40,120 |
| Cook | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $38,200 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $36,960 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Phoenix?
The median hourly pay in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $18.07 ($37,580 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Phoenix than the national average?
Yes: $37,580 against $35,320 nationally, 6% more.
How does Phoenix compare with the rest of Arizona?
The median in Arizona is $36,750, so Phoenix pays 2% more.
Where does Phoenix rank for food preparation worker pay?
43 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Phoenix?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,730 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,640 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.