How much does a food preparation worker make in Tampa?
$36,330a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area. That is $17.47 an hour or $3,028 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.47
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 77 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 10,150
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,080Median: $36,330Highest 10%: $43,220
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,080 | $13.50 | |
| 25th | $31,200 | $15.00 | |
| Median | $36,330 | $17.47 | |
| 75th | $37,420 | $17.99 | |
| 90th | $43,220 | $20.78 |
Other cities in Florida
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Naples, FL | $38,190 |
| North Port, FL | $37,320 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $37,000 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $36,730 |
| Crestview, FL | $36,680 |
| Cape Coral, FL | $36,560 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $36,310 |
| Miami, FL | $36,090 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $35,870 |
| Orlando, FL | $35,600 |
| Sebastian, FL | $35,600 |
| Wildwood, FL | $35,410 |
| Gainesville, FL | $35,050 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $34,920 |
| Pensacola, FL | $34,880 |
| Deltona, FL | $34,850 |
| Panama City, FL | $34,770 |
| Lakeland, FL | $34,610 |
| Ocala, FL | $34,560 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $33,760 |
| Sebring, FL | $32,330 |
Related jobs in Tampa
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $58,240 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,240 |
| Cook | $40,270 |
| Bartender | $37,460 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $37,070 |
| Cook | $37,010 |
| Cook | $35,040 |
| Cook | $34,740 |
| Food Server | $34,480 |
| Dishwasher | $31,670 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Tampa?
The median hourly pay in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $17.47 ($36,330 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Tampa than the national average?
Yes: $36,330 against $35,320 nationally, 3% more.
How does Tampa compare with the rest of Florida?
The median in Florida is $35,920, so Tampa pays 1% more.
Where does Tampa rank for food preparation worker pay?
77 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Tampa?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $43,220 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.