How much does a food preparation worker make in Rochester?
$35,470a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Rochester, MN metro area. That is $17.05 an hour or $2,956 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.05
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 106 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 790
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,460Median: $35,470Highest 10%: $47,260
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,460 | $13.68 | |
| 25th | $29,210 | $14.04 | |
| Median | $35,470 | $17.05 | |
| 75th | $41,370 | $19.89 | |
| 90th | $47,260 | $22.72 |
Other cities in Minnesota
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Fargo, ND | $36,590 |
| Grand Forks, ND | $35,650 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $35,100 |
| La Crosse, WI | $34,900 |
| Duluth, MN | $34,010 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $33,540 |
| Mankato, MN | $33,440 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $30,360 |
Related jobs in Rochester
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $62,520 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,620 |
| Cook | $43,160 |
| Cook | $38,150 |
| Food Server | $35,630 |
| Cook | $33,090 |
| Dishwasher | $32,790 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $31,190 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,120 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,270 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Rochester?
The median hourly pay in the Rochester, MN metro area is $17.05 ($35,470 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Rochester than the national average?
Yes: $35,470 against $35,320 nationally, 0% more.
How does Rochester compare with the rest of Minnesota?
The median in Minnesota is $34,850, so Rochester pays 2% more.
Where does Rochester rank for food preparation worker pay?
106 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,460 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,260 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.