How much does a food preparation worker make in State College?
$31,210a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the State College, PA metro area. That is $15.00 an hour or $2,601 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.00
- Vs. national median
- -12%
- Rank among cities
- 234 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 260
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,040Median: $31,210Highest 10%: $37,860
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,040 | $10.60 | |
| 25th | $27,660 | $13.30 | |
| Median | $31,210 | $15.00 | |
| 75th | $36,220 | $17.41 | |
| 90th | $37,860 | $18.20 |
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 |
| Lebanon, PA | $31,200 |
| York, PA | $31,100 |
| Altoona, PA | $30,300 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $30,120 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $29,890 |
| Erie, PA | $29,620 |
| Scranton, PA | $29,210 |
| Williamsport, PA | $28,480 |
| Johnstown, PA | $24,920 |
Related jobs in State College
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $58,560 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $42,500 |
| Cook | $37,100 |
| Cook | $35,990 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $35,280 |
| Food Server | $33,540 |
| Cook | $29,020 |
| Dishwasher | $28,950 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,720 |
| Bartender | $28,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in State College?
The median hourly pay in the State College, PA metro area is $15.00 ($31,210 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in State College than the national average?
No: $31,210 against $35,320 nationally, 12% less.
How does State College compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $30,840, so State College pays 1% more.
Where does State College rank for food preparation worker pay?
234 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in State College?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,040 or less a year; the top 10% make $37,860 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.