How much does a food preparation worker make in Pittsburgh?
$30,120a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area. That is $14.48 an hour or $2,510 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.48
- Vs. national median
- -15%
- Rank among cities
- 274 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 3,290
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $19,100Median: $30,120Highest 10%: $39,360
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,100 | $9.18 | |
| 25th | $26,830 | $12.90 | |
| Median | $30,120 | $14.48 | |
| 75th | $35,520 | $17.08 | |
| 90th | $39,360 | $18.92 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| 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 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $29,890 |
| Erie, PA | $29,620 |
| Scranton, PA | $29,210 |
| Williamsport, PA | $28,480 |
| Johnstown, PA | $24,920 |
Related jobs in Pittsburgh
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,320 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $40,530 |
| Cook | $36,130 |
| Cook | $36,100 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $35,470 |
| Food Server | $34,630 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $32,290 |
| Host and Hostess | $30,260 |
| Dishwasher | $30,000 |
| Bartender | $29,750 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Pittsburgh?
The median hourly pay in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $14.48 ($30,120 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Pittsburgh than the national average?
No: $30,120 against $35,320 nationally, 15% less.
How does Pittsburgh compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $30,840, so Pittsburgh pays 2% less.
Where does Pittsburgh rank for food preparation worker pay?
274 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Pittsburgh?
The lowest-paid 10% make $19,100 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,360 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.