How much does a food preparation worker make in Salem?
$37,300a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Salem, OR metro area. That is $17.93 an hour or $3,108 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.93
- Vs. national median
- +6%
- Rank among cities
- 50 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 990
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,510Median: $37,300Highest 10%: $48,590
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,510 | $15.15 | |
| 25th | $34,520 | $16.60 | |
| Median | $37,300 | $17.93 | |
| 75th | $42,870 | $20.61 | |
| 90th | $48,590 | $23.36 |
Other cities in Oregon
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Portland, OR | $38,730 |
| Bend, OR | $38,010 |
| Corvallis, OR | $36,510 |
| Eugene, OR | $36,160 |
| Albany, OR | $35,860 |
| Medford, OR | $35,440 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $35,430 |
Related jobs in Salem
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $63,750 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $48,720 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,660 |
| Cook | $44,690 |
| Cook | $39,170 |
| Bartender | $38,410 |
| Host and Hostess | $36,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,250 |
| Dishwasher | $35,070 |
| Cook | $34,910 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Salem?
The median hourly pay in the Salem, OR metro area is $17.93 ($37,300 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Salem than the national average?
Yes: $37,300 against $35,320 nationally, 6% more.
How does Salem compare with the rest of Oregon?
The median in Oregon is $37,450, so Salem pays 0% more.
Where does Salem rank for food preparation worker pay?
50 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Salem?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,510 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,590 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.