How much does a food preparation worker make in Rochester?
$35,020a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Rochester, NY metro area. That is $16.84 an hour or $2,918 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.84
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 130 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 2,870
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,240Median: $35,020Highest 10%: $44,720
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| 25th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| Median | $35,020 | $16.84 | |
| 75th | $37,690 | $18.12 | |
| 90th | $44,720 | $21.50 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Albany, NY | $36,260 |
| Ithaca, NY | $36,140 |
| New York, NY | $35,670 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $35,550 |
| Binghamton, NY | $35,370 |
| Kingston, NY | $35,130 |
| Syracuse, NY | $35,020 |
| Buffalo, NY | $34,700 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $34,200 |
| Elmira, NY | $34,010 |
| Utica, NY | $33,250 |
| Watertown, NY | $32,390 |
Related jobs in Rochester
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,080 |
| Bartender | $45,920 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $45,310 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,040 |
| Cook | $38,670 |
| Cook | $38,380 |
| Cook | $36,580 |
| Food Server | $35,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,310 |
| Dishwasher | $33,880 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Rochester?
The median hourly pay in the Rochester, NY metro area is $16.84 ($35,020 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Rochester than the national average?
No: $35,020 against $35,320 nationally, 1% less.
How does Rochester compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $35,610, so Rochester pays 2% less.
Where does Rochester rank for food preparation worker pay?
130 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,720 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.