How much does a food preparation worker make in Portland?
$37,260a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area. That is $17.91 an hour or $3,105 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.91
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 53 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 1,900
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $33,040Median: $37,260Highest 10%: $47,360
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,040 | $15.88 | |
| 25th | $35,770 | $17.20 | |
| Median | $37,260 | $17.91 | |
| 75th | $41,340 | $19.88 | |
| 90th | $47,360 | $22.77 |
Other cities in Maine
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Lewiston, ME | $35,630 |
| Bangor, ME | $34,970 |
Related jobs in Portland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $57,380 |
| Bartender | $54,170 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $49,880 |
| Cook | $47,000 |
| Cook | $46,560 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $44,070 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $39,170 |
| Food Server | $37,200 |
| Host and Hostess | $37,100 |
| Cook | $36,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Portland?
The median hourly pay in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $17.91 ($37,260 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Portland than the national average?
Yes: $37,260 against $35,320 nationally, 5% more.
How does Portland compare with the rest of Maine?
The median in Maine is $36,030, so Portland pays 3% more.
Where does Portland rank for food preparation worker pay?
53 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $33,040 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,360 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.